national 

and  municipal 


O.  A.  MYERS 


QUESTIONS  NATIONAL 


AND 


OF  NATIONAL  IMPORTANCE  TO  EVERY 
AMERICAN  CITIZEN 


WITH  REFERENCE  TO 


QUESTIONS   MUNICIPAL 


BY 

CX  A.  MYERS 


'•••«.••••••    •  «! 

•  «•    ..'.«.«     . 


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COPYRIGHT,  1896 
By  O.  A.  MYERS 

All  Rights  Reserved 


CONTENTS 

PREFACE. 
INTRODUCTORY: 

Questions  of  great  importance  in  general. 

TARIFF: 

Tariff  and  Prosperity  preferable  to  Free 
Trade  and  Poverty. 

IMMIGRATION  : 

Restriction  of  immigration,  a  protection  to 
American  labor  and  a  subterfuge  from  an- 
archy and  like  evils. 

GOVERNMENT  BANKING: 

A  true  Government  banking  system  as  a 
relief  to  misery  and  pauperism,  caused 
by  unscrupulous  uses  of  capital. 

RAILROADS,  TELEGRAPHS  AND  EXPRESS: 

Government  ownership  of  these  properties  a 
true  means  of  investment  of  the  people's 
money,  through  a  government  banking 
system,  to  induce  frugality,  and  thus  les- 
sen the  great  suffering  among  the  people, 
due  to  financial  evils. 

MUNICIPAL  INTERESTS: 

Municipal  ownership  of  all  properties,  trav- 
ersing or  occupying  municipal  properties, 
a  protection  to  the  people  of  municipali- 
ties, against  the  wrongs  of  capital. 


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PREFACE 

THE  object  of  publishing  this  little  volume  is 
to  illustrate  to  the  people,  from  the  stand- 
point of  a  true  American  citizen,  and  not  from 
that  of  a  partisan  only,  that  if  true  benefits  are 
derived  from  properly  enacted  tariff  laws,  they 
must  be  fully  supported  by  properly  enacted  im- 
migration laws;  that,  if  we  have  tariff  laws,  which 
are  a  known  necessity,  we  must  have,  also,  just 
as  stringent  and  just  as  equally  forcible  immigra- 
tion laws  for  true  protection. 

Also,  that  the  money  question  in  connection 
with  those  of  tariff  and  immigration,  although 
each  performs  its  part,  is  not  the  only  great 
question  that  so  disastrously  harms  the  welfare 
of  our  people.  But,  that  in  connection  with  the 
great  principles,  as  taught  by  the  representatives 
of  the  great  political  parties,  there  are  other 
questions  of  equal  importance  to  us  as  American 
citizens;  and,  which  will  need  our  attention  in 
turn  fully  as  much  as  either  of  the  questions 
named.  They  are  such  questions  as  anarchy 
and  unscrupulously  invested  capital;  not  legiti- 
mate capital,  but  that,  which  with  its  most  un- 
merciful and  unprincipled  methods  of  transacting 
business,  crushes  the  very  life  out  of  the  great 
mass  of  American  people  for  its  own  special  ben- 
efit; the  one,  anarchy,  as  a  result,  is  the  product 
of  the  other;  and,  each  is  an  extreme  and  set 

5 


apart  from  true  humanity,  performing  the  oppo- 
site criminal  functions,  which  have  been  and  will 
be,  until  true  legislation  sets  aright  such  wrongs, 
the  means  of  perpetrating  the  greatest  criminal 
acts  relating  to  business  and  financial  matters; 
and,  as  well  as  being  a  detriment,  and  a  most 
decided  drawback  to  the  advancement  and  gen- 
eral welfare  of  a  civilized  and  enlightened  Ameri- 
can people. 

If  we  establish  true  laws  for  the  interests  of 
humanity,  generally,  then  we  will  have  founded 
a  true  system  of  government,  which  is  the  same 
as  we  now  have,  when  we  have  had  enacted  such 
additional  laws  that  will  restrict,  fully,  all  im- 
proper acts  and  abuses,  bearing  particularly  upon 
the  welfare  of  our  people. 

The  principles  herein  set  forth  are  strictly 
American  on  every  subject  touched  upon,  and 
tend  to  establish  fully,  true  American  principles 
in  every  line  of  thought,  so  that  we  may  stand 
upon  one  common  basis  as  citizens,  having  but 
one  flag  as  our  standard  around  which  we  may 
rally  in  times  of  peace,  and,  around  which  we 
should  rally,  when  troublous  clouds  hover  around 
our  political  horizon,  menacing  the  welfare  of  our 
people;  but,  discouraging  anarchistic  or  like  un- 
American  principles,  teachings  or  methods;  advo- 
cating instead,  a  truly  just  form  of  government  to 
strengthen  our  cause,  and  win  to  us  those  who  now 
frown  upon  our  government  and  its  institutions. 


Introductory 


Questions  of  Great  Importance  in  General 

HAVING  recently  passed  through  another  of 
those  business  disturbed  periods  commonly 
known  as  presidential  campaigns,  and  noting 
the  unusual  activity  of  the  discordant  elements, 
and  to  what  reckless  methods,  through  unsound 
and  un-American  principles  advocated  by  them, 
that  this  whole  country  might  become  subjected, 
is  certainly  good  and  sufficient  cause  to  bring  us 
to  a  realization  of  duty,  by  carefully  studying 
the  whole  situation  with  a  view  of  bringing  forth 
such  views  which  may  prove  beneficial,  in  a  de- 
gree, in  helping  to  solve  the  great  questions  which 
are  far-reaching  and  of  such  magnitude  that  it 
will  require  very  judicious  legislation  to  avert, 
even  in  the  future,  a  great  national  calamity. 

Now,  that  the  great  political  battle  is  over, 
and  the  minds  of  the  people  are  again  assuming 
normal  conditions,  let  us  view  this  matter  intel- 
ligently and  without  party  prejudice,  having  in 
view  the  good  to  be  gained  for  the  people,  there 
being  no  doubt  but  that  good  will  result  from  it. 

During  the  last  campaign  the  tariff   and  the 


money  questions  were  the  leading  issues,  al- 
though others  received  much  attention;  but 
there  might  have  been  included  many  other 
questions,  equally  as  important,  as  to  the  real 
causes  of  the  financial  and  other  troubles  among 
us;  and  in  fact,  we  can  see  that  it  will  require 
legislation  upon  all  the  different  questions  on 
which  the  different  theories  were  based;  and, 
even  upon  more  than  those  upon  which  each  so 
diligently,  and  it  is  hoped,  honestly  did  his  part 
to  help  make  right  the  existing  troubles. 

But,  it  may  be  asked,  how  this  could  be?  Is 
it  possible  that  it  is  because  each  party  to  which 
each  of  the  representatives  belonged,  and  for 
which  each  had  so  diligently  worked,  had  a 
special  issue?  And  it  was  necessary  for  them  to 
stick  to  those  special  issues,  regardless  of  the 
merits  of  the  issues  presented  by  other  parties, 
in  order  that  success  could  with  any  degree  of 
certainty  be  attained  when  the  final  vote  was 
cast?  If  so,  does  it  not  look  as  if  selfishness,  to 
a  great  degree,  governs  our  political  persuasions, 
when  positions  are  affected?  Or,  when  through 
such  teachings,  it  is  the  means  of  securing  po- 
sitions, when  during  such  periods  of  work  such 
thoughts  should  be  the  least  in  mind,  especially 
so  when  the  welfare  of  the  people  is  at  stake  ? 

The  only  true  way,  then,  to  review  this  whole 
matter,  is  to  look  upon  such  questions  as  a  true 
American  citizen,  and  not  as  a  partisan. 


INTRODUCTION.  9 

By  so  doing  we  do  not  recognize  this  party 
nor  that  party,  further  than  embodying  in  our 
views  the  good  and  true  principles  only,  that  are 
advocated  by  such  parties;  and,  let  it  be  our  pur- 
pose to  study  these  questions  diligently,  with- 
out fear  or  favor,  with  a  view  only  of  benefit- 
ting  humanity,  if  we  wish  to  obtain  the  best  re- 
sults from  such  a  study. 

When  we  can  lay  aside  selfish  party  prin- 
ciples and  take  up  all  the  great  issues  or  ques- 
tions intelligently,  and  we  are  ready  and  willing 
to  advocate  such  legislative  measures  that  will 
benefit  all  the  people,  then  we  have  accomplished 
much  toward  the  advancement  of  the  cause  of 
humanity;  and  in  fact,  towards  advancing  our 
interests  in  a  truly  enlightened  degree  of  civiliza- 
tion politically  in -our  own  land,  as  these  ques- 
tions when  properly  diagnosed  will  indicate  that 
we  are  far  from  the  perfect  state,  as  far  as  politi- 
cal issues  are  now  concerned. 

As  regards  the  money  question,  some  people 
claim  that  there  is  not  enough  money;  others  de- 
clare that  it  is  not  of  the  right  kind,  that  it 
should  be  silver,  while  others  think  it  should  be 
silver  and  gold;  and  there  is  another  class  that 
would  have  gold  only. 

After  reviewing  this  matter  in  a  general  way 
in  the  different  chapters  in  this  book,  the  ques- 
tion will  be  left  with  you  to  decide  for  your- 
selves, whether  it  does  not  appear  to  one  not  biased 


10  INTRODUCTION. 

by  party  views,  that  we  have  money  in  plenty, 
and  that  it  is  also  perfectly  sound;  and  all  that 
is  needed  in  this  line  is  to  right  the  existing 
wrongs  through  the  enactment  of  such  laws 
that  will  cause  the  money  to  flow  through  the 
proper  channels  of  trade  to  the  people;  instead 
of  it  passing  through  channels  that  benefit  for- 
eign powers,  due  to  the  constant  shipping  of  such 
wealth  from  our  country  to  foreign  countries  to 
pay  for  that,  which  under  proper  laws,  we  should 
produce;  and,  as  well  as  to  stop  the  flow  of  such 
money  through  improper  channels  of  business 
to  the  great  money-grabbing  powers  of  our  own 
country,  where  such  is  used  to  benefit  the  few, 
against  the  interests  of  the  many. 

During  the  present  administration,  which 
has  been  advocating  the  free  trade  policy,  has  not 
the  money  gone  out  of  our  country  to  foreign 
countries,  and  have  we  studied  and  learned  the 
cause?  Were  not  the  mints  of  our  country  pro" 
ducing  as  much,  if  not  more,  money  during  this 
period  than  they  produced  during  like  former  pe- 
riods? Have  we  learned  the  difference  in  the  laws 
then  in  force  and  those  in  force  during  the  present 
administration?  Were  not  the  manufactories  of 
our  country  closed  on  account  of  the  difference 
in  laws,  and  employes  by  the  thousand  thrown 
out  of  employment,  simply  because  the  difference 
in  the  laws  enacted  were  more  favorable  to  the 
people  of  foreign  countries  than  they  were  to  the 


INTRODUCTION.  11 

people  of  our  own  country?  Do  we  wish  to 
know  what  kind  of  law  was  changed  or  enacted 
that  made  such  a  difference  with  our  people  and 
changed  our  country  from  reasonably  good  pros- 
perity to  almost  poverty? 

Yes,  we  wish  to  know  and  we  will  gladly  ac- 
cept facts  relating  to  such  matters,  so  that  we 
may  have  a  better  understanding  and  a  more 
intelligent  view  relating  to  such  questions;  and 
further,  so  that  our  votes  may  be  cast  for  princi- 
ples above  party  lines,  but  always  in  the  interest 
of  the  people,  instead  of  being  cast  for  methods 
to  further  the  interests  of  biased  politicians, 
when  again  the  fierce  struggle  of  the  battle  of 
the  ballots  engages  our  attention. 

By  making  this  a  study  between  elections, 
when  the  minds  of  the  people  are  at  rest  from 
the  great  political  excitement  of  a  near  campaign, 
we  can  act  more  intelligent!  v,  and  bv  our  united 

O  «/    /  %J 

action  based  upon  thorough  study  of  these  great 
questions,  we  will  be  less  liable  through  such  ac- 
tion to  place  the  whole  country  in  great  turmoil, 
and,  it  might  be,  save  us  from  an  experience  even 
much  worse  than  the  business  calamity  of  the 
present  (1892-6)  administration. 

Many  people  may  say  that  this  is  no  time  to 
bring  up  such  questions,  but  in  peace  we  should 
prepare  for  war,  and  so  should  it  be  politically; 
that  is,  we  should  prepare  for  any  emergency 
that  may  arise,  for  now  we  have  time  for  perfect 


12  INTRODUC    ION. 

study,  so  that  when  the  struggle  does  come  on, 
in  whatever  form,  we  will  understand  fully  our 
positions  as  true  American  citizens;  and  then  we 
can  rely  fully  upon  our  political  soldiery,  as  well 
as  its  armament  and  the  fortifications  erected  in 
support  of  our  American  institutions,  as  the  sol- 
diery would  be  thoroughly  drilled  in  true  Amer- 
ican political  tactics,  as  would  be  the  armament 
and  fortifications  perfected  so  as  to  withstand 
attack  from  any  un-American  source  in  which 
such  could  possibly  arise.  This  all  would  be 
perfected  during  the  days  of  peaceful  quietude, 
when  thought  and  work  give  their  best  result,  and 
such  political  enterprises  being  but  timely  precau- 
tions against  any  evil  that  might  arise,  would  not 
be  constructed  and  reared  through  the  excitement 
of  the  campaign,  and  in  a  great  part  during  the 
hour  just  before  the  final  struggle. 

As  before  stated,  we  wish  to  know  and  we 
will  gladly  accept  facts  in  regard  to  the  change 
in  the  laws  that  so  greatly  disturbed  the  business 
interests  all  through  our  land.  Was  it  not  the 
tariff?  Were  not  enactments  of  law  instituted 
that  took  off  a  great  percentage  of  duty  that  had 
been  levied  on  many  articles,  and  actually 
placed  upon  the  free  list  many  other  articles  that 
needed  and,  in  fact,  had  had  a  duty  levied  upon 
them  for  protection  for  many  years?  The  re- 
sults we  all  well  know,  and  it  has  been  fully 
demonstrated  to  us  that  any  tariff  law  favoring 


INTRODUCTION.  13 

free  trade  is  an  injury  to  the  business  interests 
of  our  country;  and  it  is  an  injustice  to  us  as  an 
American  people  for  any  party  to  advocate  the 
enactment  of  such  a  law. 

It  is  possible  that  you  have  had  an  experience 
on  account  of  the  change  in  the  tariff  law  that 
has  firmly  fixed  upon  your  mind  the  great  need 
of  protection  to  American  industries,  as  well  as 
the  need  of  protection  to  American  workingmen; 
that  each  should  be  protected  fully  against  un- 
just competition,  due  to  foreign  countries  failing 
to  place  a  proper  remunerative  value  to  the 
credit  of  labor  on  goods  produced  in  those  coun- 
tries, which  are  imported  into  our  own  country 
under  laws  favoring  the  low  priced  labor  of  such 
countries. 

Were  you  engaged  in  the  manufacturing 
business  in  our  country,  and  if  so,  were  you  re- 
quired gradually  but  surely  to  lessen  in  num- 
bers the  force  employed  by  you  in  your  manufac- 
turing business?  Or  were  you  from  time  to 
time  required  to  reduce  the  salaries  of  the  differ- 
ent employes  so  as  to  enable  you  to  keep  all  of 
them,  and  not  be  required  to  break  upon  the 
system  established  in  conducting  your  business? 
Or  were  you  required  in  time  to  close  your  fac- 
tory for  the  reason  that  you  found  it  utterly  im- 
possible to  compete  in  prices  with  the  same  kind 
of  products  imported  into  this  country  from  like 
establishments  located  in  foreign  countries,  as 


14  INTRODUCTION. 

such  goods  were  the  product  of  the  low  priced 
labor  of  those  countries? 

It  may  be,  though,  that  you  were  one  of  the 
employes  of  the  many  factories,  or  that  you  were 
employed  at  one  of  the  many  business  houses 
that  from  the  very  nature  of  circumstances  were 
compelled  to  succumb  to  the  inevitable  order  of 
affairs,  which  was  due  to  the  great  rush  of 
such  importations  into  our  country  that  com- 
pletely stocked  every  market  in  our  land  to  such 
a  great  disadvantage  and  such  great  injury  to 
our  people,  that  it  paralyzed  the  business  of  our 
country. 

If  so,  you  also  fully  realize  the  great  need  of 
a  decidedly  protective  tariff,  and  you  also  fully 
realize  that  we,  as  a  people  and  as  a  nation,  are 
not  in  a  position,  with  labor  properly  rewarded 
as  it  is  during  favorable  times  in  our  country,  to 
open  our  markets  to  the  world,  in  competition 
with  the  almost  pauper  paid  labor  of  other  coun- 
tries, without  it  having  very  disastrous  effects 
upon  the  business  of  our  country. 

Is  it  not  necessary  that  our  interests  should 
be  protected  against  all  undue  influences,  so  that 
we,  as  a  people,  may  have  prosperity  throughout 
our  land?  So  that,  also,  the  people  may  not 
only  live  well,  but  have  the  means  to  educate 
their  children,  and  to  build  and  possess  comfort- 
able homes?  So  that  their  children  in  turn  may 
have  equal  prosperity  and  equal  chances  in  ad- 


INTRODUCTION.  15 

vancing  their  interests,  and  that  such  interests 
may  be  perpetuated  during  the  generations  to 
come,  and  thus  through  favorable  circumstances 
there  would  be  peace  and  prosperity  instead  of 
riot  and  poverty  throughout  our  country. 

Tariff  is  a  known  necessity  to  help  perpetuate 
our  American  interests,  and  it  should  be  sup- 
ported by  every  true  American  citizen.  It  is  a 
protection  to  our  homes,  and  it  will  be,  as  it  has 
been  in  the  past,  the  means  in  part  of  advancing 
the  interests  of  our  people,  as  well  as  being  the 
means  of  educating  them. 

But,  tariff  is  not  the  only  question  to  be  con- 
sidered in  order  to  carry  on  this  great  work  suc- 
cessfully; and,  at  the  same  time  be  able  to  relieve 
the  people  fully  from  the  great  injustices  hereto- 
fore perpetrated  upon  them;  which  were  due  par- 
tially through  the  lack  of  good  and  proper  legis- 
lation in  matters  that  had  received  some  atten- 
tion, but  faulty  in  the  general  make-up;  and 
which  have  been  tampered  with  to  such  an  ex- 
tent that  they  prove  to  be  almost  worthless,  as 
far  as  securing  good  results  for  the  people;  and 
then  again,  partially  through  the  unscrupulous 
actions  of  avaricious  capital,  in  which  there  is 
much  needed  legislation  to  right  the  existing 
wrongs. 

Among  the  first  steps  towards  establishing  jus- 
tice in  all  matters  relating  to  our  welfare,  we 
should  have  the  enactment  of  proper  immigra- 


16  INTRODUCTION. 

tion  laws  to  fully  support  and  to  make  effective 
proper  tariff  laws;  this  is  necessary  in  order  that 
true  prosperity  and  advancement  from  anarchial 
and  like  debasing  principles  may  be  fully  se- 
cured; as  well  as  that  these  principles  which  are 
becoming  fixed  politically  in  our  land  may  be 
overthrown. 

Such  principles  as  these,  which  are  being  es- 
tablished in  our  country,  are  the  results  in  a  great 
part  of  lax  laws  relating  to  this,  one  of  the  most 
important  questions,  immigration. 

The  great  need  of  true  laws  in  this  line  has 
been  the  experience  of  people  in  every  portion  of 
our  land,  to  successfully  put  a  stop  to  the  immi- 
grating into  this  country,  in  many  instances, 
of  the  most  undesirable  people  that  exist;  as 
well  as  to  protect  our  workmen  from  loss  of  po- 
sitions, which  are  taken  by  the  better  class  of 
this  immigrating  people. 

Such  immigration  cannot  benefit  us,  even  the 
best,  so  long  as  the  American  laborer  is  idle.  No 
exception  is  made  to  this  rule,  in  field  or  shop; 
nor  at  the  counter  or  desk;  and  in  fact,  in  any 
pursuit  or  calling  in  which  the  American  is  not 
fully  and  justly  employed  at  a  good,  remunera- 
tive salary. 

It  is  a  detriment  to  have  such  immigrants 
among  us,  for  we  simply  sacrifice  the  interests 
of  our  own  people  to  benefit  them.  As  to  the 
worst  class,  it  is  the  means  of  filling  our  asylums, 


INTRODUCTION.  17 

as  well  as  other  public  institutions  of  charity; 
also,  as  well  as  filling  the  penitentiaries  of  our 
land;  and  not  only  this,  but  it  requires  the  build- 
ing of  new  structures  of  the  kind,  and  the  main- 
taining of  these  institutions  wholly  at  the  ex- 
pense of  the  American  people,  so  as  to  take  care 
of  and  provide  for  that  which  properly  belongs 
to  other  nations;  and,  which  is  a  duty  that  such 
nations  should  be  required  to  attend  to,  instead 
of  our  people  bearing  the  expense  of  looking 
after,  caring  for,  and  prosecuting  in  cases  of 
criminal  action,  people  who  do  not  belong  to  us. 
As  to  the  better  class  of  immigrants  they  only, 
or  at  least  mostly,  seek  and  obtain  positions  be- 
longing to  the  American  people;  and  which  our 
people  should  have  by  all  means  honorable. 

When  our  country  is  in  need  of  labor  to  sup- 
ply the  demands  of  the  producers,  then  it  will  be 
an  easy  matter  to  have  such  imported,  so  as  to 
supply  the  demands  necessary  to  carry  on  the 
business  of  our  country;  but  until  every  Ameri- 
can is  employed,  immigration  should  not  be  per- 
mitted to  interfere  with  his  interests,  any  more 
than  the  products  of  foreign  labor  are  permitted 
to  interfere  with  the  products  of  our  manufac- 
turing and  other  institutions. 

For  every  position  obtained  by  the  foreigner, 
it  will  be  learned  that  an  American  is  out  of  em- 
ployment, and  the  consequence  is,  the  American 
is  idle  to  benefit  foreign  labor,  imported  through 


18  INTRODUCTION. 

lax  immigration  laws,  instead  of  being  idle  on 
account  of  the  product  of  labor  being  imported, 
through  lax  tariff  laws. 

This  is  just  the  point  where  unscrupulous 
capital  rests  easy,  as  the  tariff  laws  fully  pro- 
tect capital  in  its  investments,  as  such  laws  re- 
late only  to  the  importation  of  the  product  of 
labor,  and  not  to  labor  itself.  Then,  the  laborer 
must  look  to  the  enactment  of  proper  immigra- 
tion laws,  so  as  to  fully  protect  him  under  the 
tariff  laws. 

Unscrupulous  capital  will  help  to  enact  tar- 
iff laws,  so  as  to  benefit  itself  in  its  investments 
in  our  country,  but  the  people  cannot  expect 
much  from  this  source  towards  the  enactment  of 
proper  immigration  laws,  for  the  especial  benefit 
of  labor  of  our  country,  for  the  reason  that  such 
capital  seeks  cheap  labor  to  perform  its  work 
for  its  especial  benefit,  under  our  protective  tariff 
laws. 

In  fact,  it  may  be,  that  foreign  capital  is  in- 
vested in  our  country,  under  our  protective  tar- 
iff laws,  and  operated  in  part,  if  not  wholly,  by 
foreign  labor  imported.  Is  there  any  justice  in 
this  to  the  American?  If  there  is  it  certainly 
cannot  be  appreciated  by  the  American  work- 
men, as  justice  to  them,  but,  right  the  opposite, 
it  is  a  most  unjust  treatment  of  our  people,  and 
in  favor  of  those  in  whom  we  have  no  national 
interest  at  all. 


INTRODUCTION.  19 

* 

If  foreign  capital  is  to  be  invested  in  this 
country,  require  it  to  be  done  so  judiciously;  and 
also  let  it  be  required  to  seek  American  labor  to 
perform  its  works,  if  it  wishes  to  benefit  itself  in 
producing  wealth;  for,  if  it  expects  to  take  from 
our  country  the  money  accruing  as  profits,  it 
certainly  should  be  required  to  let  the  laborer  of 
our  country  receive  an  equal  benefit. 

The  employment  of  American  labor  is  to  off- 
set the  amount  of  money  removed  by  capital  as 
profits.  The  money  paid  to  labor,  and  remain- 
ing in  our  country,  should  by  all  means  greatly 
exceed  in  amount  the  money  removed  from  our 
country. 

By  thus  carefully  guarding  our  interests 
when  capital  comes  into  our  country  for  invest- 
ment it  produces  and  leaves  with  us  more  money 
than  it  takes  away.  If  it  does  not  there  is  some- 
thing radically  wrong  in  the  investment  to  cap- 
ital's peculiar  benefit,  and  it  should  be  looked 
after  and  remedied. 

To  exercise  these  precautions  in  such  invest- 
ments is  only  justice  to  the  American  laborer 
and  to  American  capital.  Foreign  capital  should 
not  be  permitted  to  be  invested  in  our  country 
under  the  operation  of  foreign  labor  under  any 
circumstances,  for  by  this  method  such  capital 
and  labor  receive  all  the  benefits,  through  oui 
protective  laws,  at  the  expense  of  our  people. 

We  place  a  price  upon  a  foreign  product  that 


20  INTRODUCTION. 

is  to  be  admitted  into  our  country  and  call  it 
duty,  and  we  collect  this  duty  before  this  product 
is  admitted  to  our  markets.  This  protects  our 
manufacturers.  Then,  should  not  an  equal  value 
be  placed  upon  labor  itself  before  it  is  admitted 
into  our  country  to  enter  into  competition  with 
American  labor?  This  would  protect  labor. 

We  should  place  the  standard  of  American 
labor  high  and  protect  it  fully  under  this  stand- 
ard. If  the  labor  of  other  countries  cannot  come 
up  to  this  standard  then  it  should  be  barred  out 
entirely.  Their  standard  of  products  is  high  and 
may  equal  ours;  but  their  standard  of  labor  as 
imported  into  this  country  is  low,  and  in  many 
instances  it  is  very  low,  as  compared  with  ours. 
We  are  not  to  drop  to  their  standard  of  labor  by 
any  means,  but  they  should  come  up  to  ours. 
This  is  in  the  interests  of  humanity,  but  against 
aristocracy,  and  where  aristocracy  reigns  su- 
preme it  may  be  found  that  the  standard  of 
labor  is  very  low. 

To  protect  our  products  by  duty  naturally 
increases  the  value  of  those  products,  and  to  fail 
to  protect  our  laborers  lessens  in  a  great  degree 
the  value  of  labor.  With  the  values  of  the  pro- 
ducts advanced  and  that  of  labor  depreciated  a 
great  injury  is  worked  to  our  laborers.  Are  not 
these  good  reasons  in  themselves  that  labor 
should  be  fully  protected  through  good  and  sub- 
stantial immigration  laws? 


INTRODUCTION.  21 

Regarding  further  the  investment  of  foreign 
capital  in  this  country,  it  should  not  be  per- 
mitted to  be  invested  in  great  tracts  of  land,  and 
these  lands  held  by  such  capital  to  the  detriment 
of  our  people.  Upon  investigation  it  will  be 
found  that  there  are  many  very  large  tracts  of 
land  in  many  sections  of  our  country,  each  tract 
containing  many  thousand  acres,  which  are  now 
held  by  foreign  capital.  It  is  certainly  not  de- 
sirable to  us  as  a  people  to  have  such  lands  held 
in  this  way,  when  they  should  be  reserved  for 
the  use  of  the  American  people.  The  creating  of 
great  landed  estates,  as  in  foreign  countries, 
should  be  discouraged  at  all  times.  We  do  not 
want  such  estates  created  in  our  country,  not  by 
any  means,  not  even  by  our  own  people. 

Money  invested  in  such  immense  tracts  to 
lay  idle  does  us  no  good,  as  it  may  be  considered 
as  only  dead  capital,  and  being  of  no  benefit,  it 
instead  proves  a  great  detriment  to  us.  Such 
great  tracts  of  land  do  not  improve  as  they 
should,  and  as  they  would  improve  if  they  were 
divided  into  smaller  tracts,  to  be  owned  and 
worked  by  people  who  would  take  pride  in  build- 
ing good  and  comfortable  homes. 

Unless  fully  versed  in  the  matter  of  tract  pur- 
chases we  would  be  amazed  to  learn  the  magni- 
tude of  such  purchases  even  at  the  present  time. 
Is  not  this  a  matter,  also,  that  should  receive  our 
immediate  attention  and  put  a  stop  to  the  hold- 


22  INTRODUCTION. 

ing  of  such  lands  by  foreign  capital  to  the  detri- 
ment of  the  American  people? 

American  interests  should  be  regarded  first 
in  all  our  legislation,  and  he  who  would 
thoughtlessly  or  otherwise  cast  a  vote  for 
the  enactment  of  a  law  that  favors  other 
than  such  interests  should  be  regarded 
as  a  common  enemy  to  our  interests  and 
to  our  institutions,  and  not  deserving  the  high 
position  in  which  he  has  been  placed  by  a  con- 
fiding people,  but  instead  he  should  be  relegated 
to  the  depths  of  political  obscurity,  never  again 
to  be  permitted  by  such  an  injudicious  act  to 
have  an  opportunity  to  repeat  it  upon  the  Amer- 
ican people. 

There  are  plenty  of  good  Americans,  thor- 
oughly sound  in  judgment  in  regard  to  American 
principles,  who  can  occupy  positions  of  trust 
honorably  and  satisfactorily  to  American  inter- 
ests, without  it  being  necessary  to  take  any 
chances  on  such  un-American  acts  being  forced 
upon  us  by  people  in  places  of  important  trusts. 

Besides,  this  requirement  of  true  American 
principles  in  places  of  trust  would  have  a  most 
wholesome  effect  upon  legislators  who  have  ten- 
dencies to  misuse  their  trusts,  when  the  perform- 
ance of  the  great  obligations  placed  in  their  care 
should  receive  their  utmost  attention,  and  also 
when  their  votes  should  be  cast  in  the  interests 
of  the  American  people. 


INTRODUCTION.  23 

Let  us  remember  that  with  us  American  in- 
terests should  be  first,  last,  and  all  the  time  as 
our  interests,  and  let  the  people  of  every  other 
nation  consider  interests  to  them  likewise  in  re- 
gard to  affairs  relating  to  their  home  interests. 
This  is  loyalty  to  people  and  loyalty  to  govern- 
ment, and  should  be  adhered  to  strictly. 

Let  the  future  find  us  on  the  right  side  in 
every  struggle  for  liberty  and  independence  which 
must  be  maintained  if  our  government  holds  forth 
steadfastly  for  these  great  principles,  which  were 
named  as  a  part  of  the  benefits  to  be  derived 
from  so  sacred  a  cause  as  true  Americanism. 

Let  no  traitorous  hand  deprive  us  of  one  sin- 
gle principle  due  us  as  Americans,  but  with  such 
principles  being  firmly  impressed  upon  the 
minds  of  our  people  as  the  only  true  and  great 
principles  of  good  government  we  need  not  fear 
that  evil  will  overtake  us,  for  who  would  dare 
attack  us  under  such  conditions?  We  would  be 
strong  as  a  people  and  enlightened  in  the  true 
meaning  of  the  word  as  to  the  duties  to  be  per- 
formed regarding  good  government,  as  well  as  to 
be  ready  to  battle  intelligently  and  forcibly,  if 
need  be,  any  enemy  who  should  attack  either  our 
institutions  or  our  general  government. 


TARIFF 

Tariff  and  Prosperity  Preferable  to  Free   Trade 

and  Poverty 

rT^HERE  has  been  so  much  said  in  regard  to 
1  this  question  during  the  presidential  cam- 
paigns of  late  years,  that  it  at  first  seems  almost 
useless  to  give  space  in  this  work  for  even  a  short 
chapter. 

But,  the  question  is  one  that  needs  much 
earnest  study;  and  though  advocating  its  just 
needs  at  all  times,  it  is  hoped  that  the  principles 
of  protection  will  become  so  firmly  fixed  upon 
the  minds  of  the  American  people  that  they  will 
be  ready  at  any  time  to  protect  themselves 
against  false  theories,  presented  through  unsound, 
and  through  impracticable  ideas  of  people,  who, 
as  it  appears,  do  not  understand  the  first  prin- 
ciples of  business. 

Besides,  did  it  not  occur  to  vou  how  soon  we 

/  V 

forgot  the  events  of  a  presidential  campaign, 
even  the  very  questions  that  were  given  the  fore- 
most part,  and  were  considered  the  leading  issues 
of  the  day? 

Yes,  as  soon  as  the  results  of  the  balloting 
are  learned,  we  have  considered  the  battle  either 

24 


TARIFF  25 

won  or  lost,  this  depending  upon  the  side  upon 
which  we  were  arrayed  when  the  final  vote  was 
taken. 

But,  for  the  sake  of  home  interests,  and,  in 
fact,  for  the  sake  of  every  interest  peculiar  to  us 
as  an  American  people,  we  should  not  lay  aside 
and  forget  that  which  so  vitally  affects  us. 

The  tariff  is  a  protection  to  all  people,  not 
only  to  those  of  one  section  of  our  country,  but 
to  the  people  of  all  sections;  and,  therefore,  it 
should  be  fully  maintained  against  undue  meth- 
ods of  our  free-trade  theorists,  to  deprive  us  of 
the  just  benefits  due  us,  through  its  protective 
features. 

There  has  b?en  a  spirit  of  unrest  lurking  in 
the  minds  of  our  people  for  sometime  past. 
Four  years  ago  this  trouble  was  all  attributed  to 
the  then-existing  tariff  laws,  as  it  was  de- 
cided by  the  majority  of  the  people  at  that  time. 
Many  of  the  same  people,  who  during  the  cam- 
paign just  past,  and  who  were  spending  their 
time  advocating  the  free  silver  theory,  were  then, 
through  their  teachings,  extending  the  free  trade 
doctrine;  and  there  was  no  end  apparently,  to 
campaign  documents  which  were  given  to  the 
workmen,  with  telling  effect,  in  regard  to  the 
amount  of  duty  they  were  required  to  pay  on 
the  tin  out  of  which  their  dinner  buckets  were 
made,  until  through  such  teaching,  and  votes 
cast  accordingly,  they  were  not  only  freed  from 


26  TARIFF. 

paying  such  duty,  which  they  have  since  learned 
was  only  a  protective  duty,  but  they  were  even 
relieved  from  the  expense  of  buying  the  buckets, 
as  they  had  no  use  for  them,  business  not  re- 
quiring their  use,  as  was  fully  demonstrated  to 
this  people  during  the  administration  follow- 
ing such  teachings. 

After  such  a  complete  failure  of  this  free 
trade  issue  in  producing  the  good  results  claimed 
for  it  by  the  free  trade  people,  would  it  have 
been  prudent  for  the  managers  of  this  same 
party  to  have  brought  forth  this  same  issue,  dur- 
ing the  campaign  just  past,  as  it  was  during  the 
campaign  of  four  years  before?  Could  they  have 
had  even  a  hope  of  carrying  the  day,  on  the  basis 
of  such  a  dismal  failure,  or,  as  it  more  properly 
may  be  termed,  a  dead  issue  to  them? 

No,  and  it  was  not  attempted,  except  it  may 
have  been  in  some  instances  in  trying  to  defend 
their  position  against  the  dreadful  onslaught  on 
their  ranks  by  the  protection  people,  who  rightly 
declared  that  protection  was  an  issue,  and  were 
determined  to  carry  the  battle  on  that  line, 
which,  as  we  well  know,  was  carried  so  gallantly 
and  so  decidedly,  that  we  would  almost  believe 
that  such  a  victory  had  come  to  stay  with  us. 

In  this,  though,  we  must  not  be  deceived;  for 
the  reason  that  during  the  new  administration's 
progress,  which  through  proper  legislation,  we 
expect  times  to  gradually  grow  better,  it  must 


TARIFF.  27 

be  remembered  that  will  require  much  time  to 
make  such  changes,  that  will  be  necessary  to 
be  made,  so  as  to  undo  the  wrong,  the  effects  of 
which  now  so  sadly  afflicts  the  people. 

The  building  up  of  such  a  wretchedly  de- 
based condition  of  business  affairs,  is  no  small 
task  indeed;  it  is  like  the  rebuilding  of  an  im- 
mense architectural  work,  the  structure  grand 
and  massive  in  itself,  but  which  was,  in  a  very 
short  time,  destroyed  by  the  elements. 

The  first  of  all  the  work  to  be  done  in  re- 
building such  a  structure,  is  the  clearing  away 
the  debris;  this  requires  much  time  and  patience 
in  order  that  there  may  be  had  a  good,  clean  and 
substantial  foundation  upon  which  the  new 
structure  may  be  erected. 

The  plans  must  be  perfected,  and  new  ma- 
terial selected  and  brought  upon  the  ground  to 
take  the  place  of  that  partially  or  wholly  unfit 
to  be  used  in  the  new  structure. 

The  workmen  arrive,  and  for  weeks  and 
months  they  give  their  best  efforts  to  bring 
the  building  to  a  state  of  completion,  and 
ready  for  occupancy. 

The  necessary  delay,  though,  in  erecting  this 
building,  has  caused  great  dissatisfaction  among 
the  occupants  of  the  former  great  structure,  and 
the  consequence  is  that  some  of  the  people,  al- 
though not  satisfied  before  as  to  business  ad- 
vantages, have  gone  to  other  quarters,  believing 


28  TARIFF. 

that  they  were  justified  in  doing  so,  while  others 
have  been  looking  around  for  such,  for  the  rea- 
son that  it  was  utterly  impossible  to  give  them 
at  once  that  which  requires  time  and  much  ex- 
pense to  possess. 

But  when  this  building  is  completed  in  its 
every  part,  its  grand  architectural  outline  dis- 
playing its  beauties  in  its  perfectly  modeled,  as 
well  as  solid  and  massive  masonry,  with  its  fin- 
ishings and  furnishings  betokening  greater  com- 
fort, and  greater  safety  and  security  from  the 
elements  that  so  fiercely  reduced  to  ruins  the 
former  less  pretentious  building,  do  you  not  think 
that  the  former  occupants  will  look  upon  this 
new  structure  very  favorably?  And  it  will  not 
be  until  then  that  the  beauties  and  comfort,  as 
well  as  protection  secured  through  this  new  work, 
will  be  duly  and  justly  appreciated. 

Will  this  not  be  about  the  condition  of  affairs 
during  the  new  administration's  progress  in  try- 
ing to  renew,  or  to  bring  back,  prosperity  to  the 
people,  when  this  whole  matter  which  comprises 
this  great  political  structure  is  to  be  erected  upon 
the  site  of  the  ruins  of  this  free  trade  administra- 
tion that  is  just  in  the  act  of  finishing  its  final 
work,  to  be  turned  over  to  the  party  of  protection  ? 

Will  it  not  require  much  time  to  clear  away 
this  political  debris  and  select  and  put  into  place 
the  different  parts  that  make  up  and  complete 
this  new  structure? 


TARIFF.  29 

Will  not  the  people  during  this  period  become 
dissatisfied  before  the  time  arrives  in  which  pros- 
perity could  reasonably  be  expected?  And  this 
dissatisfaction  following  the  very  unsatisfactory 
administration  of  free  trade  theories  certainly 
cannot  improve  matters  any  as  far  as  the  outlook 
of  our  prosperity  is  concerned,  relating  to  the 
campaign  of  four  years  hence,  unless  the  people 
are  more  patient  than  they  have  been  in  like 
matters  in  the  past. 

Let  us  look  at  this  matter  carefullv  and  learn 

«/ 

what  is  required  to  be  done  before  the  wheels  of 
prosperity  can  be  made  to  turn  as  in  former 
times  of  protection;  that  is,  supposing  that  the 
present  administration  does  not  accede  to  the 
wishes  of  the  people  before  the  time  allotted  that 
a  new  order  of  affairs  must  be  instituted. 

In  studying  this  question  carefully  we  may 
be  surprised  at  the  magnitude  of  this  great  polit- 
ical institution,  when  we  consider  the  important 
changes  to  be  made  upon  the  inauguration  of  a 
new  president  and  the  time  it  requires  to  make 
them,  and  all  these  changes  to  be  made  during 
the  period  before  we  can  reasonably  expect  times 
to  be  much  or  greatly  improved. 

In  the  first  place,  following  an  election  it  is 
fully  one-third  of  a  year  before  the  inauguration 
of  the  successful  candidate  as  president  takes 
place.  At  the  same  time  the  new  cabinet  is  in- 
stalled to  take  charge  of  the  great  departments 


30  TARIFF. 

into  which  our  general  government  is  divided. 
Also,  the  changes  in  the  house  of  representatives 
take  place  upon  the  convening  of  congress,  fol- 
lowed by  the  changes  in  the  senate.  Organiza- 
tion must  be  effected  according  to  the  new  ar 
rangement  of  affairs,  and  by  the  time  new 
measures  have  been  formulated  that  are  desired 
to  be  enacted  into  laws,  and  when  such  measures 
have  successfully  passed  the  different  committees, 
then  to  be  placed  in  turn  before  the  two  great 
political  bodies,  the  law  making  powers  of  this 
country,  and  then  to  be  presented  to  the  presi- 
dent for  his  approval  by  placing  his  signature  to 
such  documents,  it  is  clearly  to  be  seen  that 
many  months  have  passed  since  the  day  when 
the  balloting  was  done  for  which  we  longed  to 
see  such  a  change  to  benefit  the  people. 

We  have  the  law,  after  these  many  months  of 
anxious  waiting,  which  is  to  give  us  the  needed 
relief  so  that  prosperity  may  be  with  us  again, 
but  what  has  happened  during  these  many 
months  of  toil  and  waiting  to  again  lessen  the 
fond  hopes  to  be  achieved,  even  at  this  period 
when  we  thought  that  the  last  barrier  to  success 
had  been  torn  away?  We  have  the  law  that  is 
to  give  us  the  needed  relief,  what,  then,  now 
stands  in  our  way  to  prosperity? 

Let  us  examine  this  question  as  we  have 
others,  and  when  we  have  learned  the  true  con- 
dition of  affairs,  even  at  this  moment  of  sup- 


TARIFF.  31 

posed  success,  we  can  then  more  fully  realize 
what  it  means  to  the  American  people  to  indulge 
in  free  trade  ideas  for  even  the  period  of  one  pres- 
idential administration.  It  is  not  until  this  time 
has  arrived  that  the  people  can  fully  realize  to 
what  great  injury  such  folly  has  attended  us  in 
all  the  branches  of  business  relating  to  our 
American  industries,  and  it  is  sincerely  hoped 
that  this  lesson  will  suffice  us  for  all  time,  not 
only  in  tariff  matters,  but  in  matters  relating  to 
any  great  question  of  government  in  which  it  is 
possible  that  such  follies  may  attack  our  Amer- 
ican interests  or  our  American  institutions.  Let 
us  take  timely  precautions  in  such  matters  and 
guard  them  from  evil  from  whatever  source  it 
mav  come. 

«/ 

Now,  let  us  look  for  the  cause  that  even  at 
the  time  of  this  supposed  success  seems  to  dis- 
place with  doubt  and  mistrust  the  very  last 
hopes  of  ever  regaining  what  we  so  much  need  to 
place  us  again  in  part  in  the  position  of  the  true 
American  as  to  home,  comfort,  enjoyment,  and, 
in  fact,  everything  that  has  a  tendency  to  better 
the  condition  of  the  people. 

In  our  endeavor  to  locate  this  cause  we  may 
learn  this:  that  just  as  soon  as  the  announce- 
ment was  made  that  protection  had  carried  the 
day  at  the  polls,  the  manufacturers  of  foreign 
countries,  upon  learning  this,  saw  that  their  only 
chance  to  benefit  themselves  by  such  a  decision 


32  TARIFF. 

of  the  American  people,  was  to  begin  to 
prepare  goods  for  the  American  market  to  be 
imported  into  this  country  before  the  new  tariff 
rates  go  into  effect. 

Upon  this  idea  they  most  likely  began  work 
at  once,  and  it  will  not  be  long  until  our  markets 
are  greatly  flooded  with  such  goods,  and,  in  fact, 
great  stores  of  them,  remaining  in  places  of  stor- 
age, to  be  placed  upon  the  market  just  as  they 
can  be  used,  long  after  the  new  tariff  rates  have 
been  fully  established;  all  these  goods  will  be 
brought  into  our  country,  under  the  present  tar- 
iff laws,  which  on  many  articles  the  duty  has 
been  entirely  removed,  and  on  others  the  rates 
are  so  low,  that  the  foreign  manufacturers  and 
importers  will  reap  a  harvest  when  the  new 
rates  go  into  effect;  and  during  all  this  period  of 
many  months  of  working  off  this  great  stock  of 
goods,  our  people  will  be  wondering  why  the  new 
state  of  affairs  is  not  more  beneficial  to  them,  as 
they  fail  to  see  the  great  activity  in  our  manu- 
facturing interests  that  was  fully  expected  when 
the  new  tariff  law  went  into  effect;  and  at  the 
same  time  many  honest,  hard  working  but  poor 
American  laborers,  will  be  wondering,  too,  why 
it  is  that  they  are  unable  to  secure  positions 
even  under  the  new  tariff  laws  which,  as  it  was 
supposed,  was  to  benefit  them  also. 

Is  not  the  failure  to  obtain  positions  due  in 
part  to  the  cause  just  named?  And,  also,  is  it 


TARIFF.  33 

not  due  in  part  to  the  immigration  laws  favor- 
ing this,  which  is  one  of  the  most  unjust  of  all 
unjust  laws  against  the  welfare  of  the  American 
people? 

Have  we  not  learned  that  the  American 
workman  cannot  be  truly  prosperous,  even  under 
the  best  of  protective  tariff  laws,  until  this  im- 
migrating people  are  no  longer  permitted  to  se- 
cure positions  due  the  American? 

During  the  period  of  such  unfavorable  condi- 
tions as  named  in  regard  to  importations,  we 
may  hear  mutterings  of  discontent,  and  learn 
from  this  that  it  is  from  the  same  people  who 
during  the  campaign  preceding  the  last,  put  so 
much  stress  upon  the  tin  bucket  theory,  which 
brought  such  disaster  to  our  people. 

The  effects  of  such  teachings  we  still  have 
with  us,  but,  it  is  hoped,  they  will  be  remedied 
by  the  new  administration,  before  another  tem- 
pestous  wave  of  distrust  is  brought  upon  us. 

The  very  people  who  during  the  campaign 
just  preceding  the  new  administration  to  be,  did 
not  then  dare  to  advocate  the  tin  bucket  theory, 
but  found  it  necessary  to  place  the  blame  upon 
some  other  cause;  and,  after  looking  around  for 
a  scape-goat,  finally  decided  to  accept  the  silver 
theory  as  the  most  practicable  one  to  bear  the 
burdens  of  the  free  trade  folly. 

What  may  we  expect  from  them  next?  It  is 
most  likely  that  they  be  found  rallying  their 


34  TARIFF. 

forces  again,  just  at  the  period  when  success  is 
possible,  so  as  to  present  this  same  silver  theory, 
as  the  people  have  not  had  an  opportunity  to 
pass  upon  this  folly  by  actual  experience,  as  they 
had  on  the  free  trade  policy,  which,  after  re- 
peated efforts,  the  public  were  induced  to  adopt 
it  for,  it  is  hoped,  its  final  overthrow. 

It  is  possible  though,  as  time  passes,  that  the 
free  silver  craze  will  not  receive  as  firm  a  sup- 
port from  the  people  as  the  managers  of  this 
theory  would  like  to  have  in  order  to  make  their 
chances  during  the  next  presidential  campaign 
reasonably  certain  for  them,  and,  through  this 
lack  of  confidence  they  may  find  it  necessary  to 
take  up  some  other  theory  upon  which  to  lay  the 
blame,  and  which  may  prove,  also,  fully  as  dis- 
astrous to  our  business  interests,  if  success  is 
likely  to  be  attained  by  them. 

Is  it  not  fully  understood  that  it  is  much  eas- 
ier to  tear  down  and  destroy,  and  it  requires  but 
little  time  to  make  the  destruction  most  com- 
plete, which  in  turn  requires  months,  and  may  be 
years,  to  replace  that  which  was  destroyed? 

Have  we  not  seen  buildings  fine  in  structure, 
and  beautiful  to  look  upon,  and  which  required 
much  time  to  erect  them,  and  at  a  cost  of  many 
thousands  of  dollars,  swept  away  by  the  ele- 
ments in  only  a  few  hours  of  time? 

Do  you  know  of  any  process  by  which  such 
buildings  could  be  replaced  in  all  their  grand- 


TARIRF. 

eur  in  as  short  a  time  as  they  were  destroyed? 

No,  and  is  it  not  the  same  in  the  rebuilding, 
or  the  re-enacting  of  laws  which  constitute  good 
government,  when  such  laws  have  been  so 
changed  as  to  almost  effectually  ruin  the  busi- 
ness of  the  country? 

Then  if  such  is  true,  should  we  not  have  at 
all  times  the  exercise  of  intelligent  thought,  re- 
garding the  great  questions  of  government,  so  as 
to  be  able,  through  the  careful  study  of  such 
questions,  to  offset  the  follies  that  might  be  es- 
tablished through  the  teachings  of  misguided 
theorists? 

We  have  many  interests  as  a  people  to  be 
be  looked  after,  and  tariff  is  most  assuredly  one 
of  them,  so  let  no  one  deceive  us  in  this  line. 

It  is  the  learning  of  the  whys  and  wherefores 
that  all  such  interests  should  be  maintained  that 
make  us  proper  individuals  to  cast  the  vote  in- 
telligently. 

It  is  the  applying  of  thought  to  such  questions, 
so  as  to  become  masters  of  them,  just  in  the 
same  manner  that  a  student  applies  his  thoughts 
in  pursuing  the  studies  to  qualify  himself  as  a 
practical  man  in  the  line  of  duty  or  profession 
he  expects  to  follow  for  a  livelihood. 

Does  it  not  appear  reasonable,  from  past  re- 
views of  the  subject  of  tariff,  that  the  American 
people  cannot  compete  with  the  products  of  labor, 
or  even  labor  itself,  of  foreign  countries  when 


36  TARIFF. 

such  labor  receives  such  poor  remuneration  foi 
its  work  performed? 

Even  if  we  could  be  reduced  to  the  same  or 
like  conditions  that  exist  generally  among  the 
people  throughout  the  world,  would  we  want 
such  conditions  among  us? 

Do  we  wish  to  be  deprived  of  every  vestige  of 
right  to  advancement,  and  through  such  priva- 
tions gradually  but  surely  become  lowered  to  the 
dreadful,  to  the  deplorable  conditions  of  the  peo- 
ple of  governments  that  look  to  the  building  up 
of  aristocracy  as  of  much  more  importance  to 
them  than  to  care  for  and  look  after  the  welfare 
of  the  suffering  millions  of  people  who  are  the 
subjects  of  these  great  aristocratic  governments? 
No.  but  instead,  we  should  seek  to  better  our 
conditions  as  a  people,  so  that,  with  the  hope 
of  advancement,  we  may  in  time  realize  that 
we  have  achieved  a  position  which  is  far  in  ad- 
vance of  that  which  once  darkened  the  ways  of 
prosperity;  that  prosperity  which  so  long  before 
had  been  with  us. 

Do  not  let  us  for  one  moment  be  coerced  into 
a  state  of  degradation,  to  become  the  slaves  of 
unmerciful  capital,  and  to  be  treated  as  the  peo- 
ple of  other  nations  are,  simply  to  satisfy  the 
avaricious  greed  of  this  aristocratic  people. 

If  the  aristocratic  governments  fail  to  look  after 
and  properly  care  for  their  people,  but  let  them 
sink  into  the  depths  of  degradation  until  it  should 


TARIFF.  37 

be  looked  upon  as  a  crime,  it  is  no  reason  that 
we  should  follow  their  example,  but,  far  from  it, 
we  should  be  the  more  determined  to  set  a  proper 
example  for  those  nations,  so  that  the  people  of 
such  governments  may  see  the  good  results  ob- 
tained by  careful  and  judicious  legislation  in 
our  country,  and  if  they  wish  to  be  benefitted 
likewise  they  may  in  unity  of  action  make  such 
demands  of  their  governments  that  will  cause 
concessions  to  be  made  which,  if  not  up  to  our 
standard  of  government,  will  greatly  benefit 
them  as  a  people. 

Our  people,  through  proper  legislation  in 
tariff  matters,  had  had  a  long  and  very  success- 
ful business  career,  and  were  doing  well  as  far  as 
interests  in  this  line  were  concerned,  barring  out 
the  injustice  to  our  workmen  through  lax  immi- 
gration laws,  until  the  free  trade  policy  assailed 
us,  and  even  then  the  people  were  led  to  believe 
that  it  was  to  make  times  better  than  they  were. 

They  did  not  know  in  reality  what  this  free 
trade  theory  meant,  but  they  know  now  what  it 
means,  having  been  taught  by  experience  the 
dreadful  effects  it  established  during  the  period 
of  only  four  years.  Even  then  it  was  only  par- 
tially free  trade  that  we  had.  What  would  be 
the  effects  upon  the  business  of  our  country  if 
free  trade  in  full  were  established? 

It  would  not  be  long  until  it  would  be  simply 
degradation  itself  in  its  worst  form,  transferred 


38  TARIFF. 

from  the  nations  of  the  old  world,  as  well  as 
from  some  of  those  of  the  new,  to  our  shores  to 
deal  out  death  blows  to  every  industry  in  our 
land;  also  to  deprive  the  millions  of  people  of 
the  needed  comforts  of  life,  their  homes,  their 
educational  advantages,  and  in  fact,  deprive 
them  of  everything  American,  to  satisfy  that 
element  of  our  country  who  stoop  so  low 
in  the  interests  of  humanity  as  to  wish  to  imi- 
tate the  aristocratic  powers  of  foreign  nations- 
Would  any  political  party  dare  to  make  free 
trade  an  issue  before  the  American  people  at  the 
present  time?  Could  any  party  make  the  work- 
men believe  that  it  is  a  hardship  and  an  outrage 
to  be  required  to  pay  the  small  duty  on  the  tin 
bucket.  Has  he  not  fully  tested  that  theory  and 
found  it  lacking?  And,  as  a  result  of  such  tests, 
have  we  not  had  four  years  of  the  hardest  times 
that  were  ever  experienced  by  the  American  peo- 
ple during  any  like  peaceful  period  of  our  gov- 
ernment? Has  he  not  learned  that  the  free 
trade  theory  simply  caused  the  opening  of  our 
markets  to  the  world,  and  it  was  only  a  short 
time  until  the  products  of  poorly  paid  labor  in 
foreign  countries  were  shipped  here  and  it  made 
it  impossible  for  our  own  manufacturers  to  com- 
pete with  such,  and  they  were  of  necessity  re- 
quired to  close  their  factories  to  save  their  prop- 
erties, let  alone  trying  to  make  money  manufac- 
turing goods?  Also,  that  thousands  upon 


TARIFF.  39 

thousands  of  people  in  our  country  lost  employ- 
ment to  give  such  to  labor  abroad,  simply 
because  the  condition  of  the  then  as  well  as  now 
existing  tariff  laws  favors  such  a  state  of  affairs 
against  the  interests  of  our  people?  But  was 
this  proper,  and  was  it  loyalty  to  the  people  to 
so  legislate  that  it  favored  those  abroad,  those  in 
whom  we  have  no  national  interest,  and  no  in- 
terest at  all  further  than  for  humanity's  sake  we 
wish  all  to  get  along  well  and  to  do  well?  Is  it 
not  the  duty  of  each  and  every  government  to 
conduct  its  affairs  in  such  a  manner  that  will 
make  prosperous  its  own  people?  Is  it  not  an 
obligation  that  should  be  required  of  all  by  the 
civilized  world,  if  any  government  should  not  do 
so?  Would  not  a  parent  be  most  unmercifully 
criticised  if  he  should  neglect  his  duties  regard- 
ing the  welfare  of  his  family  and  so  much  the 
more  so  if  his  circumstances  were  such  that 
would  warrant  the  best  of  care  of  them,  but  in- 
stead, appropriates  to  his  own  selfish  being  the 
greater  part  of  his  wealth,  leaving  his  family 
destitute  and  in  need  of  the  common  comforts  of 
life?  Should  not  this  be  made  true  with  regard 
to  governments  when  they  fail  to  provide  for  the 
people,  but  appropriate  to  the  use  of  government, 
which  means  in  such  cases  to  the  use  of  aristoc- 
racy, that  which  justly  belongs  to  the  people? 
Should  not  such  governments  receive  the  just 
criticisms  of  any  government  that  looks  to  the 


40  TARIFF. 

welfare  of  its  people  in  connection  with  govern- 
ment, and  does  not  permit  aristocracy  to  rule 
affairs  to  the  injury  of  the  people? 

The  tariff  laws  of  our  country  were  such  before 
the  change  took  place,  and  gave  protection  to 
our  people  so  fully  that,  to  a  great  extent,  for- 
eign goods  were  kept  from  our  shores.  By  the 
enactment  of  such  laws  commodities  were 
brought  from  the  farms  and  the  factories  of  our 
own  country  to  supply  the  needs  of  the  people, 
and  the  business  transacted  by  the  people  was 
simply  an  exchange  between  the  producers  of  the 
different  commodities  and  the  consumers.  The 
consumers,  in  a  great  part,  being  those  employed 
in  the  different  pursuits  of  business  operated  under 
our  protective  laws.  The  result  was  the  money 
did  not  go  from  our  country  for  the  reason  that 
through  this  system  of  exchange  the  money  passed 
from  one  to  another  of  our  own  people,  thus  giv- 
ing each  an  opportunity  to  make  settlement  with 
the  same  money;  and  through  each  exchange 
there  was  labor  to  be  accounted  for,  and  this 
labor  was  performed  in  our  own  country,  instead 
of  being  performed  in  some  foreign  country,  to 
be  paid  for  out  of  the  savings  of  our  American 
labor. 

Is  it  not  much  better  to  have  this  exchange 
of  commodities  among  our  own  people  than  to 
close  our  institutions,  which  are  the  very  means 
of  success  to  us,  as  it  gives  employment  which  is 


TARIFF.  41 

a  great  necessity?  Is  it  not  much  better  not  to 
close  our  own  resources  to  labor,  for  when  we 
do,  and  foreign  goods  are  in  our  markets,  under 
low  tariff  rates,  such  that  close  our  factories  and 
deprive  our  workmen  of  employment,  they  must 
be  paid  for  out  of  the  savings  of  more  prosperous 
times;  this  money  goes  to  foreign  lands  not  to 
return,  which  with  us  performs  but  one  mission, 
that  of  paying  for  the  goods  imported.  It  is 
better  by  far  to  have  such  laws  that  will  cause 
the  factories  of  our  own  country  to  open  their 
doors  wide  to  welcome  the  American  laborers  to 
remunerative  positions. 

Do  you  think  that  foreign  goods  in  our  mar- 
ket are  cheap  to  us?  not  by  any  means,  but  in- 
stead, they  are  very,  very  dear  to  us;  as  they 
have  cost  us  our  positions,  closed  our  fac- 
tories and  our  business  houses;  and  besides 
this,  they  take  our  savings  from  us,  and  in 
all  they  have  a  demoralizing  effect  in  every 
line  of  business  throughout  this  great  land. 

Why  should  this  have  such  ruinous  effects  with 
labor  and  business  of  our  country?  Simply  be- 
cause of  the  difference  between  this  country  and 
other  countries  in  rewarding  labor.  Let  every 
country  raise  its  standard  of  labor  to  the  stand- 
ard established  by  this  country  and  we  will  not 
need  protective  tariff  laws;  but,  just  as  long  as 
such  a  difference  between  this  country  and 
others  exists,  in  regard  to  rewarding  labor,  it 


42  TARIFF. 

will  be  just  so  long  that  labor  of  this  country 
will  require  good  protective  laws. 

As  to  the  cause  of  such  a  bad  state  of  affairs 
existing  in  our  country  at  the  present  time,  many 
people  would  raise  the  cry  that  we  need  more 
money.  Certainly  we  would  need  more  money 
under  such  circumstances,  when  with  idle 
hands  and  with  nothing  coming  in  to  replen- 
ish the  depleted  funds,  but  instead,  all  the 
money  going  out,  we  of  necessity  would  need 
more  money;  and,  in  the  end  we  would  need 
more  money  than  we  could  by  any  means  what- 
ever produce. 

To  remedy  this,  enact  such  laws  that  will 
cause  the  opening  of  our  factories  and  places  of 
business  and  give  employment  to  the  thousands 
of  idle  hands;  by  this  means  we  can  keep  the 
money  in  our  land. 

Let  the  man  of  wealth  try  the  same  impracti- 
cable process,  with  idle  hands  let  his  business  go 
to  others,  and  let  us  see  what  the  results  in 
time  will  be.  His  expenses  for  himself  and  fam- 
ily are  heavy,  aud  the  consequence  is,  the  drain 
on  his  wealth  is  great,  and  at  the  end  of  a  num- 
ber of  years  he  notices  with  great  alarm,  his 
greatly  reduced  funds.  He  sounds  the  cry  that 
he  needs  more  money! 

What  would  you  think  of  the  man  under 
such  circumstances?  Would  you  not  say  to  him 
at  once,  renew  the  business  principles  that  once 


TARIFF.  43 

gave  you  such  prosperity,  and  you  will  not  need 
more  money,  as  you  will  be  able  to  save  that 
which   you   now   possess,  and  besides  you  will 
be  able  through  such  business  prosperity  to  en- 
large your  possessions. 

Is  it  not  the  same  with  us  as  a  people,  that  is, 
we  have  been  idle  so  long,  and  have  let  so  much 
go  out  from  our  land,  that  the  people  begin  to 
believe  that  we  are  in  need  of  money?  When, 
in  reality,  we  should  start  the  wheels  of  progress, 
which  have  been  standing  idle  so  long,  so  as  to 
enable  us  to  keep  the  money  that  we  now  have 
as  well  as  that  which  will  come  to  us  through 
prosperous  conditions.  By  so  doing,  we  would 
add  to  our  wealth,  though  small  it  may  be,  and 
thus  enlarge  it,  and  in  time  we  would  be  fully 
relieved  from  the  now  present  embarrassing  con- 
ditions. 

It  is  more  business  that  we  need  in  order  to 
be  able  to  retain  the  money  that  we  have,  in- 
stead of  gradually  letting  it  dwindle  away,  until 
the  suffering  it  would  cause  would  simply  beggar 
description. 

Even  under  such  laws  as  we  have  at  present, 
of  wh  at  good  will  more  money  be  to  us  if  we 
have  not  employment  by  which  we  will  be  able 
to  bring  this  money  to  us?  Coining  more  money 
cannot  benefit  us  in  the  least,  if  we  have  not  em- 
ployment or  business  that  will  give  to  us  such 
money,  due  as  a  reward  for  work  performed  or 


44  TARIFF. 

business  tranasacted;  therefore  more  money 
would  not  benefit  us  individually  under  existing 
conditions,  caused  by  unfavorable  laws;  and,  un- 
less such  laws  are  changed,  we  will  be,  through 
no  fault  of  ours  though,  like  the  beggar,  with 
whom  it  is  always  more  money  or  its  equivalent 
that  he  needs,  as  he  does  nothing  to  better  his 
condition,  and  as  nature  requires  a  certain 
amount  of  food  and  clothing  to  keep  him  alive, 
it  still  requires  more  money  to  furnish  him  the 
most  common  necessities  of  life. 

This,  though,  as  to  doing  nothing  to  better 
his  condition  would  not  be  applicable  to  the 
honest,  hard  working  man,  as  he  has  been  de- 
prived of  every  means  by  which  he  can  better  his 
condition,  and  all  that  is  needed  now  is  to  give 
him  a  chance  to  earn  his  living  and  he  will  be 
in  a  prosperous  condition  in  time.  The  more 
money  part,  though,  is  applicable,  as  it  is  not 
his  fault  that  nature  requires  a  certain  amount 
of  food  and  clothing  which  he  is  not  able  to  pro- 
vide for  himself. 

We  should  have  legislation  that  will  fully 
protect  every  needed  article  that  can  be  grown 
or  produced  in  our  country,  so  that  the  money 
may  remain  with  us  as  an  exchange  between 
our  own  people,  as  well  as  to  carry  on  trade 
with  foreign  countries.  Even  in  trade  with  for- 
eign countries  we  should  get  back  as  much 
money,  if  not  more,  than  goes  out  of  our  country. 


TARIFF.  45 

In  this  transaction   of  business  it  is   simply  an 
exchange  between  countries. 

To  illustrate  more  fully  as  to  the  importance 
of  our  home  exchange  in  commodities,  suppose 
we  represent  the  purchasing  power  from  foreign 
countries  to  its  fullest  extent  and  then  learn  how 
it  wrould  affect  us;  that  is,  suppose  we  as  a  peo- 
ple had  to  depend  upon  foreign  countries  for 
every  known  article  of  commerce,  that  we  pro- 
duce nothing,  but  are  required  to  buy  everything 
from  foreign  countries. 

Do  you  not  think  that  we  would,  under  such 
circumstances,  need  more  money  than  we  ever 
have  had,  so  as  to  provide  ourselves  with  the  ne- 
cessities of  life?  Yes,  all  the  money  we  now 
have  would  soon  be  shipped  to  foreign  lands, 
and  with  nothing  coming  back  it  would  soon  be 
utterly  impossible  to  furnish  money  at  all,  as  we 
would  have  no  sources  from  which  it  would  come 
to  us. 

If  this  should  prove  so  disastrous  in  extreme 
cases,  is  it  not  reasonable  to  suppose  that  the 
same  conditions  would  exist  in  a  proportionate 
degree  when  we  depend  in  part  on  other  countries 
for  such  commodities?  And,  if  this  is  true,  is  it 
not  our  duty  to  protect  every  article  which  is  the 
product  of  the  farm,  the  factory,  and  in  fact, 
from  every  known  source  in  which  labor  has  per- 
formed its  part  in  producing  such  articles? 

Then,  in  reality,  what  is   tariff  to  the  Ameri- 


46  TARIFF. 

can  people  as  applied  for  protection  of  American 
industries?  It  is  the  difference  in  the  cost  of 
production  of  an  article  from  the  soil  or  from  the 
factory,  as  paid  under  the  American  system  of 
rewarding  labor,  and  that  as  paid  to  labor  under 
the  almost  pauper  system  of  rewarding  labor  by 
foreign  countries.  This  difference  in  the  cost  of 
production  is  collected  by  our  government  on 
goods  imported  into  our  country  to  protect 
American  interests  and  at  the  same  time  this 
money  is  used  to  help  defray  the  expenses  of  the 
government. 

Then  what  functions  does  the  tariff  as  thus 
applied  perform? 

First,  with  proper  restrictions  to  immigration 
it  insures  to  our  people  a  fair  recompense  for 
labor  performed. 

Second,  it  provides  means  with  which  to  help 
defray  the  expenses  of  government,  and  relieves, 
to  a  great  extent,  the  collection  of  an  amount  of 
money  that  otherwise  would  of  necessity  be  col- 
lected from  sources  of  internal  taxation. 

Third,  it  keeps  the  money  in  our  own  coun- 
try to  be  used  as  an  exchange  between  our  peo- 
ple, as  well  as  an  exchange  with  foreign  coun- 
tries. 

Fourth,  with  all  these  benefits,  it  insures 
better  homes,  better  government  and  a  more  en- 
lightened people;  all  this  for  the  advancement  of 
the  cause  of  humanity,  which  are  just  rewards 


TARIFF.  47 

for  honest  legislation  in  behalf  of  the  welfare  of 
our  people. 

Thus  it  is  learned  that  tariff  duties  benefit  us 
in  every  way  in  which  the  term  is  applicable; 
therefore,  why  should  it  not  be  maintained  for 
our  interests? 

We  have  learned  that  it  is  useless  for  us  to 
try  to  compete  with  labor  in  foreign  countries 
until  such  a  time  when  the  ruling  powers  of  such 
countries  see  the  necessity  of  raising  the  stand- 
ard of  labor  to  the  standard  established  in  our 
country.  When  this  is  done  in  all  foreign  coun- 
tries, then  we  can  open  our  markets  to  the  world. 
Then  the  price  of  labor  of  all  other  countries 
will  be  on  a  par  with  labor  as  paid  in  our 
country. 

But  without  this  equality  in  labor  being  fully 
established  in  all  countries  it  would  be  utterly 
useless  for  us  to  try  to  compete  with  the  products 
of  labor  in  the  open  markets  of  the  world,  unless 
we  wish  to  drop  our  standard  of  labor  to  a  level 
of  the  standard  established  in  foreign  countries, 
which  to  us  might  seem  almost  brutal  as  to  the 
hardships  we  would  be  required  to  endure  and 
the  great  injustices  it  would  establish  among  our 
people,  from  which  save  us  and  let  us  enjoy  the 
freedom  and  liberty  of  a  true  American  form  of 
government. 

But,  do  you  suppose  that  such  a  thing  as 
making  labor  equal  in  the  different  countries 


48  TARIFF. 

will  ever  occur?  If  it  does  it  will  be  when, 
through  our  prosperity,  the  masses  of  people  of 
foreign  powers  learn  their  true  conditions,  as 
compared  with  the  prosperous  condition  of  our 
people,  arid  with  united  action,  demand  equal 
conditions  for  their  people  from  their  govern- 
ments; it  will  be  then,  and  not  until  then  that 
it  will  be  even  possible  to  establish  such  an 
equality;  for  aristocratic  forms  of  government  do 
not  conduct  matters  in  this  way,  favoring  the 
people  as  under  a  republican  form  of  government. 

The  tariff  rates  should  be  so  established  that, 
with  proper  immigration  laws  truly  enforced, 
will  protect  fully  the  producer  and  the  laborer  of 
our  country;  and,  when  so  applied,  let  it  be 
watched  with  that  vigilance  that  characterizes 
us  the  true  Americans  that  we  should  be,  to  be 
able  to  preserve  and  to  keep  intact,  all  that  is 
of  interest  and  importance  to  us  as  a  people. 

It  is  necessary  for  us  to  watch  our  interests, 
if  we  wish  to  be  truly  prosperous.  We  cannot 
neglect  such  interests  without  it  having  very  bad 
results  with  us  as  a  people.  If  we  neglect  to 
enact  and  enforce  such  laws  that  are  necessary, 
to  protect  us  from  the  dreadful  conditions  of  the 
people  of  foreign  countries,  then  we,  as  a  peo- 
ple, must  of  necessity,  drop  to  those  conditions. 
But,  for  the  sake  of  humanity,  do  not  let  us  ne- 
glect that  which  is  of  such  vital  importance  to 
us.  Let  us  work  earnestly  and  fearlessly  for  the 


TARIFF.  49 

good  of  all  of  our  country,  so  that  we  may  be  a 
truly  prosperous  people,  one  strong  and  en- 
lightened, which  is  necessary  to  make  secure  our 
government. 

Charity  should  begin  at  home,  this  is  neces- 
sary; although  the  working  people  of  other  na- 
tions have  our  most  heartfelt  sympathies,  we 
cannot  neglect  our  own  to  better  their  conditions; 
especially  so  when  through  aristocratic  forms  of 
government,  the  people  have  been  deprived  of 
their  rights,  which  should  be  restored  to  them, 
by  the  aristocratic  powers  that  have  been  so 
greatly  benefitted  through  such  unjust  practices 
upon  the  people. 

Each  country  should  be  required  to  take 
care  of  its  own  people,  and  not  one  country, 
ours,  be  required  to  bear  the  burdens  of  a  down- 
trodden people,  being  the  product  of  unjust  and 
unholy  aristocracy. 


IMMIGRATION 

Restriction  of  Immigration  a  Protection  to  Am- 
erican Labor  and  a  Subterfuge  from  An- 
archy and  Like  Evils* 

THE  question  of  immigration  like  that  of  tar- 
iff is  a  very  important  one  to  the  American 
people,  and  unless  proper  immigration  laws  are 
enacted,  we  will  never  realize  the  real  or  true 
benefits  from  even  the  best  of  tariff  laws. 

Heretofore,  when  a  tariff  law  has  been  en- 
acted for  protection  of  the  people's  interests,  the 
immigration  laws  have  been  very  lax;  thus, 
through  these  lax  laws  the  American  laborer  has 
not  received  that  protection  which  is  necessarily 
due  him  to  insure  true  prosperity. 

Protection  to  our  industries  is  a  great  neces- 
sity, and  if  it  is  a  necessity,  why,  then,  should  not 
fully  as  strict  immigration  laws  be  enacted  and 
enforced,  so  that  protection  in  its  fullest  sense 
will  be  derived  from  the  tariff  laws  for  the  bene- 
fit of  the  American  laborer,  as  well  as  to  have 
protection  for  the  benefit  of  the  producer?  If 
protection  is  so  beneficial  to  one,  why  should  it 
not  prove  just  as  beneficial  to  the  other? 

If  it  is  necessary  to  close  the  door  to  the 
product  of  labor  coming  into  this  country  free  of 


50 


IMMIGRATION.  51 

duty,  in  order  to  protect  our  industries,  why  is 
it  not  just  as  necessary  to  close  the  door  to 
labor  itself,  when  coming  into  this  country  free, 
which  under  such  conditions  means  nothing  less 
than  such  labor  to  secure  positions  intended  for 
our  own  people? 

Why  is  the  immigration  door  not  closed  so  as 
to  fully  protect  our  laborers,  which  means  our 
people,  as  all,  except  the  capitalists,  are  included 
in  the  term  when  applied  to  protection?  Even 
the  capitalist,  when  his  money  is  invested  in 
manufacturing  or  other  pursuits,  will  be  affected 
if  such  industries  are  not  under  protection;  this 
would  be  in  the  nature  of  the  product  of  labor, 
and  not  labor  itself,  as  in  the  case  of  the  work- 
man. 

The  people  who  depend  upon  securing  posi- 
tions in  the  great  mercantile  and  manufacturing 
establishments,  or  depend  upon  the  securing  of 
positions  in  any  calling,  are  the  people  who  are 
sorely  affected  on  account  of  lax  immigration 
laws. 

Is  it  not  strange  that  the  one  door,  a  good 
part  of  the  time,  has  been  so  effectually  closed, 
while  the  other  has  been  so  badly  neglected?  Is 
this  not  due,  in  a  great  part,  through  the  failure 
of  the  laborer  looking  after  his  interests  more 
fully  after  the  producer  had  secured  his?  That 
is,  the  producer  after  securing  the  tariff  laws, 
which  fully  protect  him,  does  not  go  so  far  as  to 


52  IMMIGRATION. 

seek  just  as  equal  a  protection  for  the  laborer, 
through  proper  immigration  laws. 

Does  not  capital  benefit  by  this  unequal  pro- 
tection, as  it  is  able  to  secure  cheaper  labor  to  per- 
form its  works? 

Does  it  benefit  us  fully  as  a  people,  to  place  a 
tariff  duty  on  commodities,  and  for  the  reason 
that  such  commodities  cannot  with  profit  be  im- 
ported into  this  country,  labor  itself,  which  is 
practically  free,  comes  instead  to  take  the  places 
in  our  manufacturing  and  other  institutions, 
which  were  intended  for  our  own  laborers?  No, 
for  the  reason  that  tariff  duties,  fully  protect, 
only,  our  industries;  and,  in  order  that  labor 
may  be  as  fully  protected,  we  must  look  to 
proper  immigration  laws  being  enacted,  to  fully 
established  this  protection  to  labor. 

If  the  manufacturers  of  foreign  countries  are 
not  in  a  position  to  compete  in  manufacturing 
with  like  establishments  "of  our  country,  on  ac- 
count of  our  protective  laws,  the  result  is  they 
lose  much  business~with  our  country,  which  has 
a  great  tendency  to  lessen  the  amount  of  labor 
required  under  more  favorable  circumstances, 
and,  undoubtedly  will  lessen  in  the  same  degree 
the  running  capacities  of  such  establishments,  so 
that  the  protective  duties  on  importations  into 
our  country  have  about  the  same  effect  on  indus- 
tries and  labor  in  other  countries  that  free  trade 
with  those  countries  has  with  labor  and  the  in- 


IMMIGRATION.  53 

dustries  of  our  country,  only  it  is  experienced  in 
a  much  less  degree  as  to  the  evil  effects  in  other 
countries,  as  it  is  one  country,  ours,  against  all 
other  countries  in  trying  to  establish  a  high 
standard  of  citizenship  for  its  workmen;  and,  in 
order  to  do  this,  it  has  to  contend  with  poorly 
paid  and  degraded  labor  of  all  the  countries  of 
the  world. 

This,  though,  the  establishing  of  such  a  stand- 
ard is  a  moral  duty  and  an  obligation  required  of 
us  in  the  interests  of  true  humanity,  and  it  should 
be  attained  above  all  aristocratic  endeavors  to 
debase  labor. 

Protective  duties  with  proper  immigration 
laws  increase  the  value  of  labor  in  our  land. 
But,  at  the  same  time,  the  best  of  tariff  laws 
without  proper  immigration  laws  simply  in- 
crease the  number  of  immigrants  to  our  country, 
to  take  the  places  of  our  American  workmen, 
whom  such  tariff  laws  in  part  were  intended  to 
benefit.  The  consequence  is  it  depreciates  the 
value  of  labor,  thus  destroying  to  a  great  extent 
the  good  results  attained  for  labor  through  pro- 
tective duties.  Also,  protective  duties  have  a 
tendency  to  increase  the  value  of  our  products, 
and  this,  with  labor  depreciated,  works  a  great 
injustice  upon  the  laboring  people. 

If  the  value  of  the  products  are  increased  the 
value  of  labor  should  be  increased  accordingly, 
so  that  labor  will  be  equally  benefitted,  and  it  is 


54  IMMIGRATION. 

only  through  this  equality  being  fully  estab- 
lished that  will  insure  to  us  true  prosperity 
against  the  deplorable  labor  conditions  of  the 
world. 

The  foreign  laborer  takes  notice  of  the  in- 
creased value  placed  upon  labor  in  this  country, 
due  to  the  protective  features  established  by  us, 
and  at  once  begins  the  study  of  the  question  to 
better  his  condition. 

Seeing  the  downward  tendency  of  business  in 
his  own  country,  due  in  part  to  the  tariff  regula- 
tions of  our  country,  but,  in  greater  part,  due  to 
the  form  of  aristocratic  government  under  which 
he  lives,  paying  labor  of  his  country  so  poorly, 
and,  receiving  still  poorer  rewards  for  its  works, 
on  account  of  such  depressions  in  business,  he 
begins  to  reason  in  this  way  as  to  bettering  his 
condition:  If  the  product  of  labor  cannot  be 
shipped  to  this  country  with  profit,  the  only 
course  that  remains  for  him  to  pursue  is  to  come 
to  this  country  himself  and  seek  employment. 

This  he  does,  thus  relieving  the  labor  strain 
by  one  in  his  own  country,  but  increasing  it  by 
one  in  our  country;  or,  in  other  words,  for  every 
thousand  or  ten  thousand,  or  for  any  number  of 
thousands  of  people  who  leave  foreign  lands  to 
come  to  ours,  simply  relieve  the  labor  strain  of 
such  countries  by  just  so  many  thousands;  but, 
at  the  same  time,  the  labor  strain  of  our  country 
is  increased  by  just  that  number;  and  the  result 


IMMIGRATION.  55 

is,  just  so  many  of  our  American  workmen  are 
idle,  to  benefit  this  foreign  element.  How  can 
there  be  any  justice  in  such  laws  to  our  people 
which  permits  such  rank  perpetrations  of  injus- 
tice upon  them? 

By  enacting  proper  tariff  laws,  we  create  good 
paying  positions  in  the  many  different  branches 
of  trade,  such  that  are  due  the  American  work- 
man, so  as  to  enable  him  to  keep  his  family  in 
good  circumstances,  and  to  educate  his  children, 
as  well  as  to  have  a  good  comfortable  home  of  his 
own;  and,  besides  all  this,  to  have  a  feeling  of 
self  pride,  that  there  is  a  brighter  future  for  him- 
self and  family. 

That  to  labor  when  justly  rewarded  is  truly 
honorable.  That  degradation,  under  such  cir- 
cumstances, does  not  follow  as  a  reward  of  labor; 
but  instead,  prosperity,  as  relating  to  this  world's 
goods,  and  above  all,  that  feeling  of  true  man- 
hood which  elevates  the  moral  and  intellectual 
forces;  and,  through  prosperity,  being  able  to 
provide  means  by  which  both  he  and  his  family 
can  attain  a  higher  and  more  advanced  stage  in 
educational  matters,  which  creates  a  more  en- 
lightened and  a  more  intelligent  people,  to  help 
solve  the  great  question  of  government;  and,  to 
help  establish  an  American  standard  of  citizen- 
ship far  beyond  the  reach  of  our  now  common, 
every  day  advocators  of  unsound  principles,  as 
they  may  be  heard  along  the  street,  and  upon  the 


56  IMMIGRATION. 

street  corners;  and,  in  fact,  as  heard  in  places 
which  should  not  be  permitted  to  exist  in  a  truly 
well  governed,  well  educated,  and  enlightened 
nation. 

Under  the  favorable  circumstances  that  exist 
under  truly  protective  laws,  the  American  laborer 
is  delighted  with  the  prospects  before  him,  and 
improves  every  opportunity  to  better  his  condi- 
tion, and  every  effort  is  attended  with  good  re- 
sults. All  are  happy  in  the  home,  and  prospects 
brighten  at  every  turn. 

In  that  home,  though,  is  a  full  realization, 
that  such  comforts  and  opportunities  depend 
upon  the  continuation  of  the  laws  that  make  it 
possible  for  them  to  continue  in  prosperity  and 
advancement,  as  to  the  educational  features, 
against  the  great  misfortunes  of  the  millions  of 
people  in  foreign  lands,  whose  forms  of  govern- 
ment are  not  as  favorable  to  them  as  a  people. 

The  tariff  is  watched  and  regarded  as  the 
keynote  to  success,  but  the  immigration  laws 
have  not  been  considered  of  so  much  importance, 
for  through  this  immigration  we  had  a  contented 
feeling  that  we  were  building  a  greater  nation 
numerically,  but,  alas,  we  have  not  been  consid- 
ering of  late  years  the  worst  feature  of  this  for- 
eign element,  the  establishing  of  anarchistic  and 
other  debasing  principles  in  our  political  sphere; 
principles  un-American,  unsound  and  unjust, 
but  the  products  of  aristocratic  forms  of  govern- 


IMMIGRATION.  57 

ment,  where  law  favors  the  few  to  the  disadvan- 
tage of  the  many,  and  are  not  enacted  by  the 
people  for  the  interests  of  the  people,  as  they 
should  be  with  every  well  governed  people,  for 
then  such  laws  are  enacted  to  benefit  all,  instead 
of  being  enacted  by  a  self-chosen  few  to  benefit 
the  few. 

Through  the  neglect  to  enact  proper  immi- 
gration laws,  so  as  to  fully  support  the  protective 
features  of  the  tariff  laws  regarding  labor,  a  dark 
day  dawns  to  the  American  workmen,  as  there 
appears  in  their  midst  a  new  man,  one  from 
a  foreign  shore.  His  presence  indicates  that  he 
seeks  employment.  His  manners  are  different 
from  those  of  the  American.  He  has  an  air  of 
one  released  from  bondage,  one  not  accustomed 
to  breathe  the  pure  air  of  freedom,  and  he  does 
not  know  just  how  to  conduct  himself  and  not 
show  too  much  his  feelings  in  his  present  as  well 
as  his  prospective  station  in  life. 

We  judge  from  his  talk  that  he  is  greatly 
pleased  with  his  prospects  in  this  new  country; 
but  he  expresses  considerable  bitterness  in  regard 
to  his  home  government,  this  though,  done  slyly 
and  with  caution,  as  if  his  mind  had  not  been 
fully  made  up,  as  to  whether  he  really  at  heart,  so 
disliked  it,  or  whether  he  was  controlled  through 
selfish  motives,  peculiar  to  his  former  surround- 
ings at  home. 

He  knows   nothing  in  regard  to  our  govern- 


58  IMMIGRATION. 

ment  and  its  institutions,  as  he  has  just  arrived 
upon  our  shores,  and  has  not  yet  had  an  oppor- 
tunity to  study  and  learn  them.  He  comes  to  a 
new  country,  in  every  way  new  to  him,  as  its 
government  and  its  institutions  are  so  different 
from  those  under  which  he  was  reared,  and  it  may 
be,  under  which  he  lived,  to  a  period  in  life  far 
past  his  majority;  at  any  rate,  the  principles  of 
home  government  have  been  firmly  fixed  in  his 
mind,  and  no  matter  how  favorable  he  finds  cir- 
cumstances in  this  new  home  of  his,  his  mind 
will  wander  back  to  boy-hood  days,  and  to  days 
when  he  had  even  reached  his  majority;  and, 
through  the  review  of  home  events,  he  remembers 
the  happening  of  events  differently,  it  may  be, 
from  the  ways  they  actually  happened,  when  the 
sterner  side  of  life  is  realized  by  him  in  this  new 
country. 

Time  has  a  tendency  to  mould  or  shape  the 
record  of  past  events  in  our  minds,  favoring  the 
many  reviews  that  we  make  of  them;  especially 
so,  when  the  stern  events  of  the  present,  causes 
us  to  review  more  frequently  the  events  of  our 
earlier  life,  seeking  solace  from  some,  as  it  would 
be,  favorable  period  to  offset  the  ills  we  bear  at 
present.  As  years  pass  by  and  time  has  softened 
our  once  harsh  feelings  towards  our  once  unfavor- 
able surroundings,  they  become  lovelier  to  us, 
and  we  may  even  yearn  for  that,  for  which  we 
had  at  one  time,  formed  such  a  dislike. 


IMMIGRATION.  59 

That  which  is  true  in  regard  to  everyday  life 
occurrences,  is  certainly  true  with  the  immigrant 
into  this  country.  What  he  sees  upon  his  ar- 
rival is  new  and  interesting  to  him.  He  has 
not  yet  learned  the  sterner  side  of  life  in  this 
new  country. 

Many  people  come  here  with  the  idea  that 
freedom  means  to  do  as  one  pleases,  and  that 
there  are  no  bounds  to  its  significance  in  this 
line,  and  they  cannot  understand  how  freedom 
is  governed  by  law,  and  that  by  freedom  is 
meant  the  will  of  the  people  in  matters  political, 
instead  of  the  individual  freedom  of  a  willful, 
malicious  and  misguided  person  to  exercise  such 
freedom  to  commit  wrong. 

This  is  all  new  to  them  and  difficult  to  un- 
derstand, and  they  begin  to  believe  that  the 
principles  of  freedom,  as  understood  by  a  repub- 
lican form  of  government  is  not,  after  all,  the 
kind  of  freedom  that  they  want,  and  this  is 
about  the  time  they  begin  to  show  the  real  ef- 
fects of  teaching  under  their  home  governments; 
that  principles  installed'  in  the  mind  during 
youth  are  lasting. 

Also,  that  love  for  home,  no  matter  how  hum- 
ble it  may  have  been,  nor  how  different  it  may 
be  from  our  present  much  better  circumstances, 
it  still  exists  in  the  remembrance  of  past  events 
and  a  reference  to  it  brings  back  fond  remem- 
brances which  are  as  lasting  as  time. 


60  IMMIGRATION. 

Thus  the  new  man  brings  with  him  views 
relating  to  home  government  which,  although, 
while  he  is  not  in  full  sympathy  with  them, 
shows  at  once  that  he  is  not  in  full  sympathy 
with  ours.  And  thus,  with  the  views  of  so  many 
immigrants  from  all  parts  of  the  world,  we  have 
established  with  us  principles  and  institutions 
which  are  so  foreign  to  those  that  were  intended 
to  be  established  by  our  forefathers.  On  ac- 
count of  this  there  should  not  be  any  nationality 
recognized  by  us  politically.  We  should  be 
American  only,  and  those  who  are  given  the 
rights  of  suffrage  should  receive  such  as  Ameri- 
can citizens,  and  not  as  foreign  Americans,  to 
exercise  this  suffrage  as  foreign  born  citizens 
against  us,  and  those  who  cannot  receive  the 
right  of  suffrage  in  this  way  are  certainly  not 
entitled  to  it  and  should  be  barred  from  citizen- 
ship. And  not  only  this,  but  they  should  not 
be  permitted  to  remain  in  our  country  to  prey  on 
the  rights  of  our  people. 

The  wages  the  new  man  received  at  home  were 
so  much  lower  than  those  paid  in  like  positions 
in  this  country  that  in  this  line  he  glories  in  the 
prospects  before  him.  He  is  an  expert  in  his 
line  of  business  and  now  feels  great  relief  from 
the  restraint  of  the  forced  conditions  under 
which  he  was  required  to  follow  his  employment 
at  home,  and  believes  he  will  find  matters  much 
more  favorable  to  him  in  this  new  country. 


IMMIGRATION.  61 

He  looks  around  and  finally  decides  to  make  ap- 
plication for  a  position.  He  calls  upon  the  em- 
ployers of  a  manufacturing  establishment,  makes 
known  his  wants,  and  advises  them  that  he  is 
well  versed  in  a  certain  line  of  duty  in  their 
manufacturing  business,  making  an  offer  at  the 
time,  as  to  the  amount  of  salary  he  would  expect 
in  case  he  is  employed  in  this  line. 

The  employers  of  the  institution  where  the 
position  is  wanted,  upon  learning  the  difference 
between  paying  the  American  workman  the  sal- 
ary they  now  pay  him,  and  the  one  offered  by 
the  foreigner,  look  upon  this  difference  in  a  finan- 
cial way,  instead  of  due  justice  to  the  American; 
and,  after  duly  considering  all  things  to  their  in- 
terest, and  believing  that  the  one  is  as  much  of 
an  expert  as  the  other  in  that  particular  position, 
and  that  their  interests  will  be  fully  as  well  pro- 
tected by  the  one  as  the  other,  are  lead  through 
this  process  of  reasoning  to  look  upon  the  change 
very  favorably;  if,  in  the  event  when  they  state 
the  circumstances  to  the  American,  he  does  not 
agree  to  a  reduction  of  wages  in  order  to  retain 
the  position  with  them. 

Now,  with  due  respect,  as  they  would  make 
believe,  for  the  American  workman,  they  call 
him  to  explain  that  they  are  in  a  position  to  se- 
cure a  man  for  the  position  he  occupies  for  con- 
siderably less  salary  than  they  are  paying  him. 
That  they  are  satisfied  with  his  work  and  ap- 


62  IMMIGRATION. 

predate  much  the  attention  he  has  given  their 
business,  but  the  only  difference  that  now 
seems  to  be  in  the  way  is,  they  can  get 
another  who  is  just  as  much  an  expert  as  he 
the  American  is,  and  one  that  they  feel 
will  be  just  and  true  to  them  in  the  position  and 
for  so  much  less  wages,  they  feel  that  in  justice  to 
themselves  as  proprietors,  they  should  ask  him 
to  accept  a  reduction  in  wages  and  retain  the 
position  with  them. 

On  inquiry  the  American  learns  that  the  re- 
duction expected  is  so  great  that  he  does  not  feel 
it  doing  himself  and  family  justice  to  accept  it, 
and  chagrined  at  the  new  turn  of  affairs,  he  now 
sees  his  fond  hopes  vanish,  if  he  remains  in  the 
same  position  at  such  reduced  wages. 

He  studies  the  matter  carefully,  giving  full 
value  to  every  privilege  tendered  him  by  his 
employers,  but  he  knows  that  success  to  him 
under  such  unfavorable  and  trying  circum- 
stances will  be  very  meager  indeed,  as  compared 
with  the  plans  laid  out  by  him  during  a  more 
favorable  season,  and  he  finally  decides  to  give  up 
the  position,  trusting  that  fortune  may  smile 
more  favorably  upon  him  in  some  other  position 
or  line  of  duty. 

As  the  position  in  question  is  now  vacant  the 
new  man  is  employed  and  fully  installed  in  his 
new  line  of  duties,  and  all  goes  along  smoothly 
and  all  seem  satisfied  with  the  change  except  the 


IMMIGRATION.  63 

American  who  gave  up  the  position,  and  who 
feels  greatly  the  injustice  to  him  on  account  of 
the  lax  immigration  laws,  and  the  tendency  of 
capital  to  take  advantage  of  this  with  the 
American. 

Do  we  not  see  by  this  that  a  good  position 
was  lost  to  the  American,  simply  because  the 
immigration  laws  did  not  fully  protect  the 
American  workmen,  under  the  protective  tariff 
laws,  but  that,  capital  under  such  laws  was  bene- 
fitted  by  it,  as  it  employed  the  cheaper  labor  to 
benefit  itself,  but,  to  the  injury  of  the  American 
laborer  ? 

Cannot  we  see  also,  that  capital  receives  bene- 
fits in  more  ways  than  one  by  employing  cheap 
labor  ?  That,  through  this  process  of  having  its 
work  performed,  it  greatly  cheapens  the  living 
expenses  to  the  possessors  of  capital,  at  the  ex- 
pense, though,  of  the  laboring  people  ?  That,  the 
lower  the  wages  paid  for  work  performed  is  just  so 
much  saved  to  capital,  under  our  protective  laws, 
to  increase  itself  at  the  expense  of  the  people? 

Do  we  not  see  from  this  why  capital  is  so 
slow  to  help  elevate  the  masses  of  people  by  help- 
ing to  fully  establish  thoroughly  good  immigra- 
tion laws  to  protect  the  people  ?  That,  it  looks 
after  its  own  interests,  and  the  great  masses  of 
people  must  likewise  look  after  its  interests,  if 
they  wish  to  enjoy  the  privileges  of  a  free,  liberty 
loving  people  ? 


64  IMMIGRATION. 

In  time  the  new  man  who  secured  the  position 
from  the  American,  receives  an  increase  in  salary, 
and  matters  in  regard  to  this  position  stand  about 
the  same  as  when  the  American  was  occupying 
the  same  position.  Now,  it  is  wished  to  be  asked, 
in  justice  to  the  American  workman,  what  is 
gained  by  the  tariff  for  the  workman  when  un- 
supported by  proper  immigration  laws  in  such 
cases  as  this  ?  Has  it  benefitted  the  American 
workman  as  it  was  intended  ?  No,  but  what  has 
it  done  ? 

It  created  the  position  perfectly  and  satisfac- 
torily to  all  until  it  was  learned  that  the  immi- 
gration laws  were  such  that  they  failed  to  pro- 
tect fully  what  the  tariff  had  created.  That  the 
workman  is  not  as  fully  protected  as  he  should 
be  so  as  to  receive  the  full  benefits  of  proper 
tariff  laws.  That  to  remedy  this  it  will  be  nec- 
essary to  enact  and  to  enforce  such  immigration 
laws  that  will  fully  protect  the  American  work- 
man under  any  and  all  circumstances. 

We  have  learned,  also,  that  the  new  position 
created,  or  labor  better  rewarded,  induced  a  for- 
eigner to  leave  his  own  country  to  seek  the  new 
position  from  the  American.  If  this  is  true  in 
regard  to  one  position  and  one  immigrant,  what 
must  be  the  effect  upon  our  position  as  a  people 
when  thousands  and  hundreds  of  thousands  of 
immigrants  come  to  our  land  every  year? 

Cannot  we  see  the  great  injustice  to  us  as 


IMMIGRATION.  65 

Americans  to  permit  this  to  continue  in  this 
way?  Do  not  our  favorable  rewards  to  labor 
under  protective  duties  simply  increase  the 
labor  strain  of  our  country  through  this  immi- 
gration? And  the  labor  strain  of  other  countries 
is  just  so  much  relieved  from  time  to  time,  be- 
cause we  permit  this  injustice  to  be  practiced 
upon  us. 

The  manner  of  living  of  this  immigrating  peo- 
ple is  so  different  from  our  American  way  of 
living,  and  being  accustomed  to  such  living  in 
their  own  country,  they  can  live  here  upon  so 
much  less  than  the  American  and  upon  much 
less  than  we  Americans  want  to  be  required  to 
live,  as  we  are  accustomed  to  the  privileges  of  a 
much  higher  standard  of  citizenship  as  a  work- 
ing people  than  are  the  people  of  foreign  coun- 
tries. 

Living  under  a  republican  form  of  govern- 
ment and  under  an  aristocratic  form  of  govern- 
ment are  two  different  ways  of  living,  and  are 
not  comparable.  Under  the  one,  the  people 
make  the  laws;  under  the  other,  the  laws  are 
made  for  the  people. 

Now,  it  is  wished  to  consider,  what  we  have 
gained  further,  in  the  new  man  in  the  American's 
position,  by  such  neglect  in  not  providing  just  as 
equally  forcible  immigration  laws,  so  as  to  pro- 
tect the  workman  under  the  tariff  laws? 

In  time  it  may  be,  one  more  name  is  added 


66  IMMIGRATION. 

to  our  lists  purporting  a  new  citizen,  who  during 
all  his  life,  has  been  accustomed  to  a  form  of 
government  so  entirely  different  from  ours,  that 
he  does  not  fully  realize  the  meaning  of  the  terms 
freedom  and  liberty,  as  applied  to  the  American 
form  of  government;  and,  whose  views  of  govern- 
ment, after  all,  favors  more  the  home  government 
than  ours.  One  who  does  not  and  cannot  ap- 
preciate fully,  the  importance  of  our  American 
institutions;  but,  with  all  this  so  unfavorable  to 
the  welfare  of  our  American  interests,  he  be- 
comes a  citizen  under  the  law,  but  he  cannot  in 
reality  be  an  American  citizen,  although  he  is 
empowered  with  the  same  privileges  in  casting 
the  ballot,  as  the  American  who  is  required  to  be 
twenty-one  years  of  age,  before  he  is  entitled  to 
cast  a  vote;  and,  who  during  all  this  period 
is  being  reared  under  a  republican  form 
of  government,  his  teachings  are  from  the 
American  standpoint  in  regard  to  government, 
while  the  teachings  of  the  foreign  born  citizen 
were  from  a  point  just  the  opposite  to  ours  re- 
garding government;  but  who,  within  a  period  of 
five  years  it  may  be,  has  been  given  the  same 
power  in  casting  the  ballot  that  is  given  to  the 
American  at  twenty-one  years  of  age. 

Is  there  any  justice  in  such  laws  to  the  Amer- 
ican? Do  you  wish  to  let  such  injustices  be 
practiced  from  time  to  time  to  the  disadvantage 
of  yourself  and  sons  who  are  coming  on  in  years. 


IMMIGRATION.  67 

and  soon  will  have  the  same  evils  to  contend 
with?  No,  we  say,  but  instead,  apply  a  remedy 
just  as  soon  as  our  legislative  bodies  can  formu- 
late a  law  that  will  truly  and  justly  protect 
every  workman  in  our  country,  and,  in  fact, 
every  American  citizen  against  such  an  injustice. 

In  regard  to  the  privilege  given  to  foreigners 
coming  to  this  country  and  exercising  the  rights 
of  suffrage  in  our  affairs,  it  might  be  stated  that 
there  was  a  time  when  this  was  necessary.  It 
was  during  the  building  up  of  this  country,  dur- 
ing a  period  when  there  were  no  Americans  as  it 
is  now  understood  by  this  term,  or  during  such  pe- 
riods of  progress  in  this  country's  advancement 
that  there  were  but  very  few  Americans.  Then 
it  was  necessary  for  this  country  to  give  the  priv- 
ilege of  suffrage  at  an  early  period  of  citizenship, 
in  order  to  encourage  immigration,  so  as  to  help 
build  up  and  improve  this  country  as  well  as  to 
help  build  up  government. 

Then  also,  a  much  better  class  of  people  came 
and  with  a  view  of  building  new  homes;  but 
now,  it  is  the  worst  element  to  a  great  extent, 
that  comes  to  our  shores  to  be  built  up;  and,  to 
be  cared  for  under  our  favorable  institutions,  at 
the  expense  of  our  people;  we  are  so  lenient  in 
this  matter  as  to  accept  almost  any  form  of  hu- 
manity that  knocks  at  our  doors  for  admission, 
even  to  the  filling  of  our  charitable  institutions 
of  all  kinds. 


68  IMMIGRATION. 

We  can  see  that  during  the  earlier  days  of 
our  country,  people  came  with  a  view  of  better- 
ing their  conditions  in  time  by  hard  work  only; 
for  then,  this  country  was  in  its  wild  state,  not 
possessing  the  many  advantages  that  since  have 
become  the  privileges  of  the  people  to  enjoy.  It 
then  required  hard  work  and  the  enduring  of 
many  privations  in  order  that  success  could  be 
secured  later  on. 

But  now,  following  this  great  prosperity,  and 
at  a  time  that  we  do  not  need  any  foreign  ele- 
ment, for  the  reason  that  we  have  arrived  at  a 
point  in  our  affairs  of  government,  that  our  own 
people  are  becoming  numerically  great,  and,  it 
requires  us  to  look  after  their  welfare,  we  have  a 
great  rush  of  this  undesirable  people  to  our 
shores,  to  the  great  disadvantage  and  expense  of 
our  people. 

In  due  time  the  new  citizen,  holding  the  po- 
sition created  for  the  American,  seeing  the  ad- 
vantages he  has  gained  by  being  in  this  coun- 
try, and  having  been  here  long  enough  to  feel 
his  importance  as  an  American  citizen,  under 
the  law,  and  beginning  to  think  that  he  is  not 
receiving  what  he  is  justly  entitled  to  under  this 
American  government,  as  he  undoubtedly,  does 
not  yet  understand  the  terms  freedom  and  liberty, 
as  applied  to  our  government,  wishes  now  to  re- 
ceive greater  benefits;  he  now  asks  for  more  pay, 
and  fewer  hours  in  which  to  perform  the  duties 


IMMIGRATION.  69 

relating  to  his  position.  By  this  time  it  should 
be  remembered  that  he  may  lay  claim  to  the  po- 
sition as  his  own  special  property,  as  would  be 
inferred  generally,  when  men  leave  positions  dur- 
ing times  of  strikes. 

The  demand  is  made  of  the  employers,  who 
are  amazed  at  the  turn  of  affairs,  after  having 
duly  considered  and  accepted  the  proposition  of 
this  workman,  and  even  had  increased  his  salary, 
all  these  favors  to  him,  at  the  expense  of  an 
American  workman,  having  lost  his  position. 

Having  duly  considered  all  things  relating 
to  such  a  demand,  they  advise  him  that  in  jus- 
tice to  themselves,  and  their  business,  they  could 
not  comply  to  the  demands  made  by  him,  either 
to  increase  his  wages,  nor  to  shorten  the  number 
of  hours  of  labor;  as  they  were  paying  him  all 
they  could  pay;  and,  as  to  shortening  the  time, 
the  hours  which  he  now  gave  their  business  were 
very  reasonable,  and  it  would  hinder  their  busi- 
ness to  shorten  this  time;  as  he  would  not  be 
giving  the  time  for  a  days  work  that  the  busi- 
ness then  required. 

Here  is  just  where  the  real  trouble  begins. 
The  American  though,  under  such  circumstances, 
would  have  been  willing  for  the  time,  to  let  mat- 
ters remain  as  they  were,  and  would  have  been 
satisfied  with  the  statement  of  the  employers, 
when  he  was  assured,  that  it  was  the  best  they 
could  do  for  him,  and  he  would  have  continued 


70  IMMIGRATION. 

right  along  in  the  position  until  a  more  favor- 
able opportunity  was  presented  from  some  other 
source  for  a  change;  and  then,  when  such  an  op- 
portunity was  presented,  he  would  have  with- 
drawn from  the  position,  without  giving  trouble, 
thus  leaving  it  free  for  some  one  else  to  accept; 
and,  the  change  would  have  been  made  so  quietly 
and  satisfactorily  to  all  conceined,  that  no  one 
would  have  been  molested,  or  injured  in  any 
way. 

But  what  most  likely  occurs  if  the  demands 
made  by  the  new  citizen  have  not  been  accepted? 
Well,  it  may  be  about  this  way;  knowing  the 
feeling  engendered  in  many  instances  when  de- 
mands made  by  foreign  born  workmen  are  not 
acceded  to  as  correct  and  proper. 

In  such  cases  there  seems  to  be  more  of  the 
physical  than  of  the  intellectual  manhood  dis- 
played, and  this  workman  having  been  reared 
under  that  form  of  government  not  particularly 
friendly  to  the  laborer,  but  looks  upon  such 
more  in  the  nature  of  subjects  of  aristocracy  than 
as  a  free-born  citizen,  with  as  much  power  in 
the  elective  franchise  as  is  vested  in  one  in  the 
higher  stations  of  life,  he  really  begins  to  believe 
that  he  is  actually  imposed  upon  and  he  must 
have  his  rights.  His  demands  must  be  acceded 
to  and  nothing  short  of  this  will  satisfy  him. 

But  his  employers  with  due  regard  for  his 
feelings,  who  seemingly  understand  his  situation 


IMMIGRATION.  71 

better  than  he,  again  make  proper  explanation 
as  to  why  it  would  be  impossible  to  comply  with 
his  demands.  But  without  exercising  the  proper 
faculties  in  regard  to  the  injustice  of  his  de- 
mands, but  with  force,  which  he  believes  must 
win,  he  strikes. 

The  employers  regret  very  much  the  action 
this  new  man  has  taken  in  the  matter,  and  see- 
ing the  need  of  their  business  being  carried  on 
promptly,  they  even  make  concessions  to  him, 
to  again  resume  his  work,  but  they  are  abruptly 
refused,  and  he  still  demands  in  full,  more  pay 
and  fewer  hours,  and  must  have  everything  ac- 
ceeded  in  full  as  demanded. 

Having  thus  failed  to  make  terms  with  him 
their  only  way  out  of  the  trouble  as  they  see,  is 
to  employ  another  to  take  the  place,  which  they 
do  with  hopes  that  everything  will  again  move 
along  smoothly. 

But,  to  their  great  astonishment  when  the 
man  just  employed  arrives  to  take  the  position, 
the  striker  says,  no,  he  shall  not  take  my  posi- 
tion; and,  no  kind  of  reasoning  avails  any  good, 
for  by  force  the  striker  keeps  the  new  man  from 
taking  the  place. 

Another  trial  is  made  but  to  no  better  results, 
as  the  striker  is  determined  by  force  to  gain  his 
demands. 

This  situation  of  affairs  continues  until  it  be- 
comes unbearable  to  the  employers,  and  they 


72  IMMIGRATION. 

find  it  necessary  to  call  the  law  to  their  assis- 
tance. 

This  enrages  the  striker,  because  the  idea  of 
having  such  a  thing  as  law  in  a  free  country,  is 
something  beyond  his  comprehension.  He  has 
by  this  time  become  thoroughly  enraged,  and  in 
fact,  he  has  become  a  demon  in  his  desperation 
to  gain  what  he  has  demanded. 

He  is  ready  to  do  almost  any  act  of  violence, 
and  it  may  be,  has  even  applied  the  torch,  or 
used  dynamite  with  disastrous  results,  until  by 
main  force  the  law  takes  him  in  hand,  and  he 
has  at  last  been  placed  behind  the  bars,  await- 
ing a  hearing  in  regard  to  the  crimes  he  has  com- 
mitted. 

The  day  has  been  set  for  a  trial,  witnesses 
have  been  examined,  pleadings  have  been  made, 
and  the  decision  of  the  court  has  been  rendered. 

The  result  is,  he  has  a  term  to  serve  in  the 
state  penitentiary,  which  soon  begins;  and  again, 
all  appears  to  be  passing  along  all  right,  as  jus- 
tice has  asserted  herself  in  defense  of  law  and 
order. 

The  associates,  though,  of  this  criminal  begin 
a  plea  that  he  is  unjustly  imprisoned,  and  they 
set  to  work  with  petition  in  hand  for  signatures, 
praying  to  have  the  sentence  revoked. 

They  work  with  their  utmost  zeal  to  obtain 
this  end  and  finally  have  all  the  necessary  pa- 
pers laid  before  the  governor  of  the  state  in 


IMMIGRATION.  73 

which  such  acts  of  violence  were  committed,  and 
where  justice  was  rendered  by  the  court. 

Is  it  possible  with  such  an  array  of  papers  to 
defeat  justice,  that  this  high  tribunal  will  take 
notice  of  them,  and  release  one  who  so  justly  de- 
serves the  punishment  inflicted  upon  him  by  the 
court  for  crimes  commited? 

Let  us  see,  it  is  possible  that  this  very  gov- 
ernor before  whom  these  papers  were  placed  for 
action,  to  release  one  of  the  most  dangerous  of 
criminals  to  our  public  institutions,  is  in  like 
sympathy  with  the  whole  movement;  and,  he 
too  may  have  been  born  in  a  foreign  land,  under 
circumstances,  making  him  an  equal  to  the  crim- 
inal, as  far  as  views  are  entertained  by  him  re- 
lating to  such  matters;  or,  if  not  by  birth  a  for- 
eign born  citizen,  it  is  possible  that  he  descends 
from  parents  so  closely  allied  to  foreign  affillia- 
tions,  as  not  to  be  a  proper  person  to  decide  such 
cases  as  the  one  here  brought  forth,  justly,  under 
the  true  meaning  of  the  law  of  our  land. 

Yes,  it  is  learned  that  a  pardon  has  been 
granted,  and  the  criminal,  so  termed  by  the 
court,  is  to  be  released  from  serving  his  full  term 
in  the  penitentiary. 

What  a  victory  for  anarchy !  But,  what  a 
defeat  for  law,  order  and  good  government ! 

Is  this  to  continue,  and  if  so,  will  not  our 
American  institutions,  soon  be  institutions  of  the 
past?  Is  it  not  utterly  impossible  for  them  to 


74  IMMIGRATION. 

survive  such  reckless,  such  unprincipled,  and 
such  un-American  decisions  as  this,  by  one  of 
the  highest  officers  in  our  country — the  governor 
of  a  state?  Will  not  our  courts,  the  highest  tri- 
bunals of  justice,  soon  be  unable  to  avail  any 
good  by  their  decisions,  if  such  a  state  of  affairs 
continues  in  this  pardoning  power  vested  in  this 
office? 

We  entrust  this  though,  to  the  better  judg- 
ment of  the  American  people,  who  will  learn 
that  to  tolerate  such  infamous  proceedings,  as 
justifying  a  criminal  in  crimes  committed,  by 
being  released  from  imprisonment,  simply  places 
the  crime,  in  a  way  as  it  would  appear,  upon  the 
court;  for  under  the  law,  a  court  would  not  have 
any  right  to  sentence  a  man  to  imprisonment, 
unless  he  had  committed  a  crime,  demanding 
such  a  sentence. 

Thus  it  would  appear  by  such  a  decision  a  of 
governor,  it  would  be  the  court,  and  not  the 
striker,  who  by  the  court  was  considered  the 
criminal,  but  the  court  itself. 

Is  this  not  a  wretched  state  of  affairs,  for  our 
country,  and  its  interests,  when  it  becomes  pos- 
sible for  that  element,  which  is  a  decided  foe  to 
our  institutions,  to  have  such  power  as  to  reverse 
our  American  laws  and  court  decisions,  so  as  to 
liberate  the  criminal,  and  by  such  an  act,  cen- 
suring the  court  rendering  just  decisions? 

It  is  sincerely  hoped  that  the  American  peo- 


IMMIGRATION.  75 

pie  will  not  tolerate  such  infamous  proceedings, 
for  any  longer  period,  than  it  requires  to  enact 
laws  to  remedy  this;  that  is,  if  it  is  even  neces- 

v  9 

sary  to  lessen  the  pardoning  power  now  vested 
in  the  office  of  governor. 

After  the  release  of  a  criminal  of  this  kind, 
there  usually  follows  a  great  jubilee  among  that 
element,  which  in  view  is  anarchistic,  and  op- 
posed to  law  and  order. 

It  may  be  that  the  criminal  released,  will 
spend  much  time  lecturing  among  the  people  of 
his  kind,  thus  teaching  them,  as  he  terms  it,  the 
great  injustice  to  freedom,  in  this  free  and  liberty 
loving  country. 

By  being  liberated  and  thus  advocating  his 
cause,  simply  sows  the  seeds  of  discontent,  and 
un- Americanism  to  bring  forth  a  greater  harvest 
to  be  reaped  by  anarchy  for  its  benefit,  to  the 
great  disadvantage  of  our  institutions. 

But,  this  certainly  cannot  last  very  long,  as 
was  shown  by  the  results  of  the  balloting  at  the 
last  presidential  election;  as  the  truly  American 
element,  regardless  of  party  lines,  and  which 
heretofore  may  have  been  somewhat  lenient,  will 
see  the  great  necessity  of  striking  a  death-blow 
to  such  an  infamous  institution. 

Are  not  such  proceedings  a  decidedly  bad 
state  of  affairs  for  our  country,  and  cannot  many 
instances  be  recalled  to  fully  substantiate  this? 

By  recalling  in  our  minds,  the  events  of  the 


76  IMMIGRATION. 

past  few  years,  cannot  we  note  many  instances 
in  which  the  crimes  committed  by  such  desperate 
characters,  were  truly  in  themselves  rebellion, 
and  this,  against  our  government? 

There  is  enough  of  the  actual,  without  drawing 
upon  the  imagianary,  to  show  us  that  a  terrible 
state  of  affairs  exist  in  our  country,  even  at  the 
present  time. 

Why  is  it  so?  Is  it  not  in  a  great  part,  be- 
cause we  have  neglected  to  stop  by  legislation, 
the  great  flow  of  this  undesirable  element  from 
foreign  lands  to  our  shores?  And  we,  through 
this  neglect,  have  installed  among  us,  that 
which  is  entirely  foreign?  And,  which  does  not 
belong  to  us,  and  when  in  power  simply  deals 
out  death  blows  to  our  institutions? 

Have  we  not  learned  that  the  decisions  of  our 
courts  can  be  reversed  by  governors  of  states, 
who  are  in  sympathy  with  such  un-American 
movements? 

Of  what  value  will  our  court  decisions  be  in 
time  under  the  decisions  of  anarchistic  governors 
unless  the  people,  also,  in  time,  require  a  modifi- 
cation of  such  pardoning  power? 

In  view  of  these  facts  what  have  we  instituted 
by  tariff  legislation,  unsupported  by  proper  im- 
migration laws? 

First,  there  were  established  better  rewards 
for  labor;  this  increased  immigration,  which  is  a 
decided  disadvantage  to  us. 


IMMIGRATION.  77 

Second,  instead  of  it  benefiting  us  as  a  peo- 
ple, fully,  as  intended,  we  have  in  our  midst  an 
undesirable  foreign  element,  which  has  been  ben- 
efitted  by  it,  to  the  detriment  of  our  honest 
American  labor,  and  through  this  neglect  we 
have  injured  those  we  intended  to  benefit. 

Third,  we  have  established  in  our  country  to 
a  great  degree  anarchy  and  other  un-American 
principles,  endangering  our  institutions  and  our 
general  government. 

Is  it  not  time  to  study  this  immigration 
question  thoroughly,  and  most  heroically  enact 
a  proper  law  and  most  effectually  apply  it,  so 
that  this  undesirable  element  may  be  kept  out 
of  our  country?  Do  we  wish  our  homes  dese- 
crated by  such  an  injustice  being  perpetrated 
upon  us  by  admitting  such  an  element  to  our 
shores?  Should  not  the  American  spirit  be 
aroused  to  its  fullest  extent  in  looking  after  the 
welfare  of  our  homes  ? 

Is  it  not  time  to  act,  and  the  way  to  act,  is 
for  the  people  to  impress  this  important  duty,  as 
well  as  others,  upon  the  minds  of  our  Represen- 
tatives, as  well  as,  our  senators  in  Congress? 
And,  if  they  fail  to  enact  proper  laws,  then,  at 
the  expiration  of  the  terms  of  office  of  all  such 
unmindful,  or  as  it  may  be  termed,  offending  leg- 
islators, put  men  in  their  places,  who  are  known  to 
advocate  true  American  principles,  and  will  act 
accordingly? 


78  IMMIGRATION. 

Is  this  not  the  time  to  act,  when  the  party  of 
progress  is  going  into  power,  and  have  such  legis- 
lation put  into  force  that  will  make  it  impossible 
for  the  experience  of  the  past  few  years,  and  of 
the  late  presidential  campaign  to  be  re-enacted? 
Is  this  not  the  time  to  strike  the  death-blow  in 
reality  to  anarchy  and  like  principles,  which  of 
late  years  have  endangered  our  institutions? 
and,  in  their  stead,  establish  true  American  prin- 
ciples, in  every  line  of  action  relating  to  our  gov- 
ernment? 

There  is  another  question,  one  of  much  im- 
portance to  us,  that  should  be  fully  considered  by 
us,  it  is  this :  Have  you  ever  given  proper  thought, 
as  to  the  very  poor  chances,  the  young  men,  the 
sons  of  our  homes,  have  in  getting  a  start  in  life 
with  such  odds  against  them  ?  Do  not  they 
of  all,  during  their  young  lives,  need  encourage- 
ment, and  a  proper  chance,  even  in  their  home 
country  to  start  new  homes  as  the  old  pass 
away?  Are  they  to  be  left  alone  to  shift  and 
care  for  themselves  among  this  reckless,  anar- 
chistic element?  Can  they  under  such  trying 
circumstances  be  the  honest,  strong,  industrious 
and  intelligent  men  that  will  be  needed  to  look 
after  the  welfare  of  this  great  nation?  Should 
not  they  of  all  new  comers  upon  life's  broad  field 
of  battle  be  the  first  to  be  protected?  But,  is 
this  true?  No,  they  are  more  than  unequally 
affected.  With  even  those  who  have  stood  the 


IMMIGRATION.  79 

storms  of  life's  battle  for  the  many  years  they 
have  been  called  upon  to  perform  their  part  in  the 
great  struggle  and  when  these  young  men  look 
upon  this  broad  expanse  of  such  a  dismal  scene 
they  falter,  and  in  amazement  stand  aghast, 
wondering  how  they  in  their  inexperienced  posi- 
tions can  expect  to  battle  successfully  such  giant 
foes. 

Upon  this  review  of  their  future  prospects 
disappointment  takes  the  place  of  the  once  bright 
hopes  of  success. 

They  struggle,  though,  heroically,  against 
such  odds,  until  late  in  the  strife  their  moral, 
physical  and  intellectual  forces  begin  to  break, 
as  nothing  but  disappointment  after  disappoint- 
ment follows  in  quick  succession  each  fond  hope 
entertained  for  bettering  life's  struggle. 

It  may  be  that  success  has  partially  rewarded 
them  for  their  work  performed,  but  not  in  that 
form  that  truly  builds  up,  but  that  which  rather 
depresses  that  full  sturdy  manhood  that  is  needed 
to  achieve  the  best  results  in  carrying  on  the 
great  industries  of  our  land. 

Therefore,  there  should  be  no  delay  in  mat- 
ters legislative  relating  to  this  immigration, 
which  is  one  of  the  most  important  questions  to 
the  American  people. 

We  have  now  waited  too  long  without  action 
upon  this  important  question,  as  we  have  among 
us  an  element  that,  with  its  forces  fully  enrolled 


80  IMMIGRATION. 

is  a  power  at  the  polls,  and  it  is  possible  with 
its  combined  support,  carrying  the  balance  of 
power  as  it  does  in  many  instances,  to  dictate  to 
us  in  regard  to  legislation. 

The  true  American  element,  though,  we  trust 
will  be  always  as  it  was  in  the  presidential  election 
just  past,  on  the  right  side  when  questions  come 
up  which  in  themselves  are  dangerous  and  antag- 
onistic to  the  welfare  of  government  through  the 
support  of  this  element. 

But  this  should  not  be  depended  upon  to 
offset  the  wrongs  that  exist,  but  legislation 
should  be  enacted  to  remedy  this  evil,  so  that 
prosperity  may  be  with  us,  and  the  people  en- 
couraged to  do  and  care  for  themselves  by  build- 
ing homes,  educating  their  children  and  improve- 
ing  every  opportunity  for  their  advancement  in 
life. 

When  we  have  this  state  of  affairs  fully  es- 
tablished in  place  of  anarchy,  then  we  will  have 
better  government  and  a  more  enlightened  peo- 
ple to  deal  with  the  great  questions  which  so 
affect  us  as  a  people,  and  which  will  be  a  just 
reward  for  honest  government. 


GOVERNMENT  BANKING. 

A  true  government  banking  system  a  relief  from  misery  and 
pauperism,  caused  by  the  unscrupulous  uses  of  capital. 

THIS  may  be  a  new  subject,  politically,  to 
many  people,  as  it  has  not  been,  so  far,  an 
issue  during  the  great  presidential  campaign,  and 
therefore,  it  is  not  as  familiar  a  subject  as  either 
the  tariff,  money,  or  even  that  of  immigration. 
But,  it  is  one  of  great  importance  to  us,  as  will 
be  learned  in  naming  the  benefits  that  will  be 
gained  in  establishing  such  a  system. 

Has  it  ever  occurred  to  you  what  the  estab- 
lishing of  a  government  banking  system  means? 
Or,  have  you  ever  given  it  a  thought  as  to  what 
it  would  prohibit,  and  what  it  would  establish, 
in  advancing  the  interests  of  the  people,  gener- 
ally, in  financial  matters? 

If  not,  then  let  us  study  this  question  care- 
fully and  learn  the  evils  it  will  eradicate,  as  well 
as,  also,  the  good  it  will  promote  in  financial  cir- 
cles, peculiar  to  the  interests  of  the  great  mass  of 
people  whom  it  is  desired  to  benefit. 

The  term,  individual  banks,  including  both 
national  and  others,  will  be  treated  in  this  chap- 
ter, as  well  as  others,  where  mentioned,  as  indi- 

81 


82  GOVERNMENT    BANKING. 

vidual  banks  of  the  present  banking  systems. 
They  are  named  in  this  way  so  as  to  designate 
them  more  readily  from  the  government  system 
it  is  desired  to  explain  and  to  advocate  as  a 
proper  one,  to  be  used  in  connection  with  the 
present  systems  of  banking;  also,  they  are  men- 
tioned as  individual  banks  for  the  reason  that 
each  act  individually  of  the  other,  even  under 
the  same  system,  while  in  the  proposed  new  sys- 
tem they  each  form  a  part  of  one  grand  system, 
controlled  fully  and  only  by  the  government. 

A  government  banking  system,  as  herein  con- 
sidered, means  the  establishing  by  the  govern- 
ment at  convenient  places  in  different  parts  of 
the  country,  a  system  of  banking,  similar  to  the 
present  individual  systems,  now  in  use  by  banks 
generally,  as  far  as  deposits  and  withdrawals  are 
concerned,  giving  an  opportunity  to  persons  of 
small,  as  well  as  to  those  of  greater  means,  to 
place  their  savings,  or  their  spare  money,  where 
it  will  be  perfectly  safe  for  them,  from  loss  in 
ways  peculiar,  to  the  present  individual  banking 
systems. 

The  money  deposited  in  such  banks  would  be 
used  by  the  government  to  pay  off  bonds  and 
other  obligations  as  they  become  due,  as  well  as 
to  be  used  in  defraying  current  expenses,  when 
the  receipts  from  tariff,  revenue,  and  from  other 
sources  fall  short  of  paying  expenses;  and,  to  be 
used  in  purchasing  such  properties,  ^which  in  the 


GOVERNMENT    BANKING.  83 

very  nature  of  themselves,  will  greatly  benefit 
both  the  people  and  government  to  possess. 

Banks  of  this  description  in  large  cities, 
could  be  located  at  the  government  buildings  of 
such  cities;  and  in  the  larger  cities,  branches 
could  be  established  in  the  same  manner,  that 
branch  offices  are  now  established  by  the  govern- 
ment postal  department,  so  as  to  conveniently 
transact  the  business  relating  to  this  great  in- 
stitution. 

In  cities  and  towns  where  no  government 
buildings  have  been  erected  for  the  transaction 
of  government  business,  such  banks  could  be  lo- 
cated at  the  postoffice  of  such  places;  or,  if  this 
should  not  prove  convenient,  they  could  be  lo- 
cated in  close  proximity  to  them,  so  as  to  ena- 
ble the  citizens  to  conveniently  transact  business 
with  such  banks,  as  well  as  for  them  to  receive 
the  benefits  of  such  a  system  of  banking. 

It  is  possible  to  extend  this  system,  and  in 
justice  to  all  it  should  be  extended,  in  time,  so  as 
to  include  every  postoffice  in  the  land,  even  the 
most  remote,  if  the  people  at  such  points  wish  to 
receive  the  benefit  of  such  an  institution. 

To  adopt  and  to  extend  this  banking  system 
in  time  so  as  to  include  all  points  would  give  to 
the  people  of  the  country,  as  well  as  those  of  the 
cities,  a  perfectly  safe  place  for  their  savings, 
whether  such  savings  were  small  or  otherwise, 
and  at  the  same  time  it  would  be  the  means  of 


84  GOVERNMENT    BANKING. 

providing  money  for  the  use  of  the  government  in 
carrying  on  the  great  business  transacted  by   it. 

All  deposits  should  be  made  to  bear  a  low  rate 
of  interest,  and  free  from  taxes;  the  interest  to  be 
calculated  on  semi-annual  or  yearly  balances, 
under  such  rules  and  regulations  that  would 
fully  protect  the  government  from  improper  pe- 
riodical balances,  and  then  credit  the  interest  so 
calculated  to  the  many  different  accounts  at 
the  different  banking  institutions  of  the  kind, 
which  would  be  located  at  points  embracing 
every  portion  of  our  land. 

A  system  of  banking  of  this  kind  would  be  a 
great  inducement  to  people  of  small  means,  and 
just  the  very  people  who  should  be  encouraged 
to  save  in  part  their  earnings,  and  encouraged  to 
make  an  effort  to  have  an  account  and  receive 
the  benefits  that  would  be  derived  from  this  sys- 
tem. The  interest,  though  small,  would  add  a 
little  to  their  accounts,  and,  at  the  same  time, 
would  be  an  encouragement  to  make  greater 
efforts  to  save  money  and  enlarge  the  credit 
balances. 

The  question  may  be  asked,  what  is  the  need 
of  this  banking  system,  and  why  not  continue 
the  patronage  of  the  systems  in  vogue? 

The  principal  reasons  are,  as  have  been  stated, 
that  the  people  need  a  perfectly  safe  place  for 
their  money,  one  different  in  this  respect  from 
the  present  individual  banking  system;  one  that 


GOVERNMENT   BANKING.  85 

will  protect  fully  the  savings  of  the  poor  and 
middle  classes  as  well  as  the  money  of  the  great 
capitalists,  who  are  now  so  well  protected  in 
their  government  bond  investments;  one  that 
will  use  the  people's  money  to  buy  such  proper- 
ties, that  are  of  peculiar  interest  to  them  as  a 
people,  and  which  should  be  under  government 
control  to  benefit  the  people. 

If  we  have  this  system  in  connection  with 
the  individual  systems,  and  the  individual  serves 
you  best,  they  will  be  the  ones  for  you  to  patron- 
ize, but  if  the  government  institution  suits  you 
best,  then  that  would  be  the  better  one  for  you 
to  patronize. 

The  government  system  would  furnish  enough 
money  in  time,  so  as  to  stop  the  issuing  of  bonds, 
which  now  are  purchased  by  large  capital  only, 
or  mostly,  direct  from  the  government;  when  the 
people  should  have  an  opportunity  to  invest 
their  earnings  in  such  matters  in  connection 
with  large  capital. 

To  have  such  a  system,  would  insure  safety 
to  depositors,  and  there  would  not  be  the  least 
anxiety  entertained  by  them,  for  fear  of  the 
bank  failing;  or,  of  some  officer  or  employee 
running  away  with  their  money,  as  is  often  the 
case  now  in  individual  banking. 

If  any  money  should  be  taken  from  any  gov- 
ernment banking  institution,  the  government 
would  collect  from  the  sureties  on  the  bond  of 


86  GOVERNMENT    BANKING. 

the  fraudulent  employee  the  full  amount  taken, 
so  there  would  not  be  any  loss  even  to  the  gov- 
ernment, let  alone  the  depositors. 

Even  if  the  government  should  fail  to  collect 
from  the  sureties  $he  amount  of  money  taken,  it 
is  not  supposed  that  the  depositors  would  bear 
the  loss,  individually,  any  more  than  any  one 
would  now,  who  would  go  to  any  post-office 
where  money  orders  are  issued,  and  get  a  money 
order;  and,  soon  after  this  order  had  been  issued 
it  was  learned  that  the  money  deposited  for  the 
order  had  been  stolen. 

In  such  a  case,  the  loss  would  not  be  on  the 
money  order  issued,  as  this  order  would  be  worth 
as  many  dollars  in  gold  or  other  standard 
money,  as  represented  by  its  face,  and  marginal 
numbers. 

It  is  clearly  seen  that  the  money  order  is 
fully  protected,  and  it  certainly  would  be  the 
same  to  depositors  in  government  banks  if  es- 
tablished. 

We  may  rest  assured,  though,  that  the  govern- 
ment would  be  just  as  fully  protected  also,  as  it 
does  not  permit  of  any  chances  of  value  getting 
away  from  it.  Some  one  is  always  held  respon- 
sible by  heavy  bonds,  with  proper  sureties,  to  se- 
cure itself  against  losses,  and  besides,  if  the  ap- 
plicants for  positions  of  trust  are  not  able  to  give 
good  and  sufficient  bond  they  will  not  secure  the 
positions  desired. 


GOVERNMENT   BANKING.  87 

An  issue  of  a  government  bank  order  or 
draft,  under  the  new  system  at  one  place,  would 
be  recognized  as  correct  and  proper  to  pay  at  the 
bank  on  which  it  was  drawn  at  another  place. 

It  would  not  make  any  difference  in  what 
part  of  the  country  or  how  far  apart  the  banks 
were  located  from  each  other,  the  paper  drawn 
would  be  honored. 

The  proper  statement  of  the  issuing  bank  to 
the  one  on  which  the  order  is  drawn,  in  connec- 
tion with  the  general  form  of  the  order  presented 
for  payment,  would  fully  establish  the  validity  of 
the  paper  and  it  would  be  paid  upon  the  identity 
of  the  payee;  and,  there  would  be  no  question  as 
to  the  standing  of  either  of  the  banks,  as  each 
would  be  under  government  control,  and  belong 
to  the  people;  also,  one's  identity  would  much 
more  easily  be  established,  especially  so  when 
traveling;  as  the  banks  would  most  likely  be 
located  in  the  same  buildings  in  which  the  post 
offices  are  located,  or  in  close  proximity  to  such 
offices,  if  not  in  the  same  buildings;  the  postman 
would  of  necessity  know  him  personally  by  deliv- 
ering of  mail,  or  through  the  statement  of  the 
proprietor  of  the  hotel  where  stopping  he  could 
identify  him. 

It  would  be  necessary,  though,  to  establish 
such  rules  in  regard  to  this  matter  that  would 
fully  protect  the  government  against  fraudulent 
schemes  to  obtain  money  even  on  such  bank  orders. 


88  GOVERNMENT  ^BANKING. 

We  need  not  worry  about  this  though,  as  the 
government  is  now  doing  a  great  postal  money 
order  business  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  people, 
and  such  rules  for  the  identity  of  the  holders  of 
such  bank  orders  could  be  established  that  is 
now  in  use  by  the  postal  department. 

But  is  a  person  always  fully  secured  in  indi- 
vidual bank  drafts? 

It  is  believed  that  many  people  could  say  no, 
and  say  it  from  actual  experience. 

Have  you  ever  presented  drafts  for  payment 
at  banks  other  than  those  upon  which  they  were 
drawn,  and,  it  may  have  been,  located  many 
miles  from  home  and  place  of  issue,  during  peri- 
ods of  mistrust  among  banks,  which  are  more 
commonly  known  as  period  *  when  the  money 
question  was  in  a  doubtful  state,  and  then  have 
learned  what  it  means  to  get  money  on  drafts  that 
you  supposed  when  they  were  issued  to  you  were 
as  good  as  gold? 

If  not,  then  you  cannot  fully  realize  the  dis- 
advantages in  which  one  is  placed  when  depend- 
ing upon  these  drafts  entirely  for  money. 

It  may  have  been  that  the  cash  on  hand  was 
getting  very  low,  and  it  was  necessary  to  have  it 
reimbursed  to  keep  expenses  paid  in  full;  and, 
it  is  at  such  a  time  one  is  again  put  to  thinking 
in  regard  to  a  better  and  more  perfect  system  in 
financial  ways  as  to  protection  against  the  un- 
certainties of  the  individual  banking  systems. 


GOVERNMENT    BANKING.  89 

For,  in  the  instance  of  trying  to  have  a  draft 
cashed,  and  besides  it  may  be,  have  heavy 
charges  attached  if  cashed,  or,  if  not  cashed,  to 
know  that  the  bank  on  which  the  draft  was 
drawn  is  doubtful,  and  you  are  left  anxious  to 
know  whether  or  not  you  will  ever  receive  the 
money  that  you  paid  for  the  draft,  are  not  very 
encouraging  indeed,  to  people  who  depend  upon 
this  system  of  supposed  protection,  in  either 
traveling,  or  in  business  transactions. 

Can  we  recall  one  single  instance  in  which  a 
postal  money  order  was  not  paid  when  presented 
by  the  proper  party,  and  such  party  was  duly 
identified  as  the  proper  person  to  whom  such 
order  should  be  paid?  Is  not  such  an  order 
considered  as  good  as  gold  at  all  times? 

Is  not  a  postal  money  order  preferable  to  a 
bank  draft  as  far  as  pe;fect  security  is  concerned? 
Even  during  times  when  money  matters  are 
considered  doubtful,  is  not  the  postal  money 
order  considered  perfectly  safe  and  far  prefer- 
able to  a  bank  draft,  as  far  as  safety  is  concerned? 
Is  not  this  security  in  itself,  one  good  reason 
why  a  government  banking  system  would  be  far 
preferable  to  the  present  individual  systems? 

Again,  under  the  government  banking  system, 
during  periods  of  financial  troubles  among  indi- 
vidual banks,  and  which  of  necessity  would  be 
unknown  under  a  government  system,  or  much 
less  frequent  than  at  present,  instead  of  the  peo- 


90  GOVERNMENT   BANKING. 

pie  drawing  their  money  out  of  bank,  it  would 
certainly  be  the  means  of  strengthening  the  gov- 
ernment system,  as  there  would  be  a  feeling  of 
safety  in  regard  to  such  an  institution,  that  would 
cause  greater  deposits  to  be  made  in  such  banks, 
which  would  be  at  the  expense  of  the  individual 
banking  system.  But,  should  we  stop  at  this,  if 
the  individual  systems  are  wrong  ?  Should  we 
deprive  the  millions  of  people  of  perfect  security 
and  proper  investments,  in  order  to  benefit  a  few, 
who  even  through  some  scheming  investments, 
may  deprive  the  people  of  getting  back  money 
entrusted  to  their  care  ? 

It  is  not  intended  to  convey  the  idea  here  that 
bankers  as  a  class  are  considered  dishonest,  not 
by  any  means,  but  what  is  meant  is  this,  under 
the  present  systems  dishonest  people  who  may  be 
connected  with  banks  have  opportunities  to  in- 
jure the  people  financially  in  ways  that  under  a 
true  government  system  could  not  be  practiced. 
It  is  the  systems  and  not  the  bankers,  being  dealt 
with  in  this  work. 

After  all,  are  not  the  financial  troubles  we 
experience,  due  to  the  banking  systems  now  in 
vogue  ? 

That  is,  if  the  people  through  mistrust  with- 
draw their  deposits,  leaving  the  banks  without 
money,  that  it  is  the  banks  and  not  the  people 
who  are  so  much  affected  by  financial  depres- 
sions? 


GOVERNMENT    BANKING.  91 

That,  by  this  or  through  this  mistrust,  the 
very  institutions  which  the  people  have  de- 
pended upon  as  safe  places  for  their  money,  have 
it  frequently  proven  to  them  that,  to  a  great  ex- 
tent, they  are  the  opposite  of  safety? 

Also,  that  there  is  fully  as  much  money  in 
the  country  during  such  depressions,  as  there  is 
during  prosperous  times?  But,  through  mis- 
trust, it  is  withdrawn  from  the  banks,  thus  leav- 
ing their  vaults  empty?  The  money  being 
placed  in  safety  vaults  and  other  hiding  places, 
and  thus  withdrawn  from  circulation,  which,  as 
it  appears  to  business,  makes  money  very  scarce, 
when  in  reality  it  is  not  scarce,  but  simply  in  a 
place  of  hiding? 

Then  if  the  present  banking  systems  are  not 
able  to  protect  themselves  against  mistrust  of  the 
people  and  prevent  demoralization  in  business, 
due  to  such  mistrusts,  is  it  not  time  to  improve 
upon  this  system  by  establishing  a  better  one? 

Do  you  think  that  the  people  would  mistrust 
a  government  banking  system  so  as  to  cause 
such  depressions?  But  instead,  would  they  not 
rush  to  such  institutions  with  their  money  when 
doubt  existed  in  regard  to  individual  institutions? 
Are  not  these  questions  worth  considering,  and 
worth  considering  well,  for  the  interest  of  the 
people? 

Again  in  regard  to  the  uncertainties  of  the 
individual  banking  systems,  if  a  considerable 


92  GOVERNMENT    BANKING. 

amount  of  money  is  stolen  from  any  bank  it 
may  be  impossible  for  the  officers  of  such  a  bank 
to  replace  it,  for  the  reason  that  all  or  mostly  all 
their  own  money  was  taken  as  well  as  the  money 
of  the  depositors.  The  result  would  be  that  the 
depositors  must  bear  the  loss,  as  there  would  be 
no  source  from  which  it  could  be  obtained,  as  the 
paper  held  by  such  bank  could  not  be  realized 
upon  in  full,  therefore  it  would  be  insufficient  to 
make  settlement  in  full  and  satisfactory  to  all. 

Again,  in  individual  banking  such  business 
transactions  may  be  indulged  in  by  the  officers 
as  a  matter  of  speculation  with  the  people's 
money,  that  may  prove  a  loss  to  the  bank,  in- 
stead of  much  profit  as  was  anticipated;  then  as 
before,  when  the  money  was  stolen,  the  loss  must 
be  borne  by  the  individual  depositors. 

Is  it  any  wonder  that  the  people  mistrust  the 
present  banking  systems,  and  as  a  consequence 
they  are  rather  shy  in  placing  their  hard-earned 
savings  in  such  institutions  to  be  used  by  others 
in  matters  of  speculation,  and  it  may  be  lose  all, 
either  in  this  way  or  in  being  stolen  from  the 
bank?  Are  not  these  the  principal  ways  in 
which  the  people's  money  is  lost  in  these  institu- 
tions? And  is  there  not  considerable  money 
lost  to  the  people  every  year? 

In  many  instances  the  banks  even  refuse  to 
allow  interest  on  deposits,  but  expect  the  people 
to  leave  their  money  with  them  for  their  use  and 


GOVERNMENT   BANKING.  93 

receive  no  return  at  all,  even  with  the  possibility 
of  not  receiving  back  the  amount  deposited. 

Are  such  conditions  of  banking  very  encour- 
aging to  the  people  generally,  let  alone  those  of 
small  means,  who  need  in  time  every  dollar 
saved  by  them,  when  health  and  strength,  with 
reasonably  prosperous  surroundings,  gave  them 
a  little  more  money  than  they  needed  at  that 
time,  but  which  is  to  be  used  when  age  has  de- 
prived them  of  the  opportunities  to  hold  their 
own  with  the  younger  and  stronger  element  com- 
ing on  to  take  their  places  in  life? 

Would  not  the  establishing  of  a  grand  bank- 
ing system  by  the  government  be  joyful  news  to 
the  millions  of  people  who  constitute  our  gov- 
ernment? And  also,  that  it  would  be  everlast- 
ingly appreciated  by  them,  generally,  during  all 
time,  or  as  long  as  our  government  establishes 
this,  as  well  as  like  beneficial  systems  in  other 
matters  that  will  truly  benefit  all  the  people? 

In  establishing  this  system  of  banking,  in- 
stead of  its  being  necessary  for  the  government  to 
go  to  great  capitalists,  and  to  foreign  great  capi- 
talists to  get  money  on  the  issue  of  bonds,  there 
will  be  in  time  plenty  of  money  at  the  command 
of  the  government,  collected  from  its  seventy  or 
more  millions  of  people.  This  money  would 
come  from  every  portion  of  our  country,  and  in 
many  instances  would  save  even  now  the  issue  of 
bonds  if  such  a  system  were  established,  because, 


94  GOVERNMENT    BANKING. 

through  this  system  the  government  would  have 
the  people's  money  to  use,  and  the  immense  cap- 
italists would  then  take  their  chances  with  the 
people  in  investing  their  money,  as  they  would 
be  required  to  invest  through  the  same  system  if 
they  wish  to  receive  the  benefits  of  government 
security. 

What  would  this  mean?  It  would  mean 
that  every  individual  of  small  or  moderate  capi- 
tal would  have  the  same  opportunities  to  invest 
his  individual  capital  through  this  banking  sys- 
tem, and  each  would  receive  in  a  proportionate 
degree  to  the  amounts  so  deposited  the  same  ben- 
efits that  are  now  received  by  millionaire  capital- 
ists. And,  besides  this,  every  citizen,  if  he  so 
wished,  could  through  this  system  of  banking  be 
the  means  of  helping  to  stop  the  enormous  flow 
of  money  from  great  capitalists  to  the  govern- 
ment for  the  use  of  government  at  the  expense  of 
the  people. 

It  is  just  as  necessary  for  the  welfare  of  the 
people  of  our  country  to  have  means  provided  for 
the  use  of  their  savings  as  it  is  to  have  a  protec- 
tive tariff. 

The  one  is  a  protection  of  the  people's  indi- 
vidual small  capital  against  accumulated  great 
capital  improperly  used;  the  other  is  a  protec- 
tion to  the  remunerative  reward  to  labor,  as  es- 
tablished by  our  government  against  the  almost 
pauper-paid  labor  of  other  governments. 


GOVERNMENT    BANKING.  95 

When  we  are  able  to  accomplish  this  in  re- 
gard to  capital,  and  to  divert  the  flow  of  money 
commonly  known  as  profits,  derived  from  such 
kind  of  business  which,  in  their  very  natures 
properly  belong  to  the  people,  to  a  common 
money  center  for  the  benefit  of  all,  being  the 
earnings  of  capital  furnished  by  the  people  in- 
stead of  capital  furnished  by  individual  great 
capitalists,  then  we  will  have  accomplished  a 
great  good  for  the  welfare  of  our  people. 

When  great  sums  of  money  are  borrowed  by 
the  government  from  a  few  great  capitalists,  it 
must  in  time  be  paid  back  with  interest.  If  it  is 
profitable  for  this  great  capital  to  be  so  invested, 
why  should  it  not  be  just  as  profitable  to  the 
people  to  invest  their  individual  small  capital 
and  receive  the  interest  in  proportion  to  the 
amount  deposited,  that  is  now  paid  to  individual 
great  capital? 

In  either  event,  from  whom  is  the  money  col- 
lected to  pay  interest,  and  in  time,  the  principal? 

Is  it  not  collected  from  the  many  millions  of 
people  in  the  ways  of  necessary  revenues  and 
customs  duties  levied  and  collected  on  such  ar- 
ticles coming  under  these  schedules,  and  which 
are  on  such  articles  that  the  people  use? 

Are  not  the  revenues  and  duties  added  to 
the  cost  of  production  of  an  article  to  get  the 
selling  price,  and  the  people  pay  such  in  this 
way,  when  purchasing  such  articles  for  use? 


96  GOVERNMENT    BANKING. 

By  turning  the  accumulated  profits  of  such 
kinds  of  business  that  are  of  peculiar  interest  to 
the  people,  and  when  derived  from  capital  pro- 
vided by  the  people,  into  a  common  treasury  for 
distribution  to  the  people  as  interest  on  money 
deposited,  will  this  not  be  so  much  money  saved 
to  help  pay  the  great  expenses  of  government 
through  the  necessary  revenues  and  duties?  And 
which  the  people  are  required  to  pay,  whether  or 
not  they  receive  any  benefits  from  the  govern- 
ment? 

Then  we  may  ask,  when  individual  great  cap- 
ital is  invested  for  government  use,  whom  does 
it  benefit? 

Is  it  not  the  few  only,  who  possess  such  cap- 
ital, and  not  the  millions  of  people  who  would 
be  benefitted,  in  the  event  that  capital  in  a  great 
part  is  provided  by  the  people?  And,  is  it  not 
rather  a  one-sided  affair  when  individual  great 
capital  is  invested,  to  be  paid  in  time  by  the 
people,  when  the  people  have  no  share  in  its 
profits? 

If  the  people  are  permitted  to  furnish  money 
for  government  use,  instead  of  letting  accumu- 
lated capital  furnish  it,  wholly,  at  the  expense  of 
the  people,  then  the  interest  paid  to  the  people 
in  such  events  will  come  from  the  same  source 
as  it  does  now,  and  which  is  now  paid  to  a  few 
great  capitalists,  but  instead  of  it  being  paid  in 
bulk  to  a  few,  it  would  be  paid  in  small  amounts 


GOVERNMENT  BANKING.  97 

to  millions  of  grateful  people,  and,  in  fact  the 
very  people  who  are  required  to  pay  the  govern- 
ment debts  in  either  event. 

Under  the  present  system  of  getting  money, 
for  the  government,  people  with  small  means,  as 
well  as  those  of  considerable  wealth,  have  no 
chance  whatever  in  buying  government  bonds 
direct,  or  having  their  money  invested  for  the 
use  of  government,  just  for  the  very  reason  that 
men  with  great  capital  make  such  offers  to  the 
government  for  the  whole  or  a  great  part  of  an 
issue,  that  the  people  with  moderate  means  would 
not  be  noticed  in  the  transaction. 

Is  it  not  right  and  proper  to  help  the  millions 
of  people  to  secure  their  savings,  when  it  means 
so  much  to  them?  Would  not  this  banking  sys- 
tem be  as  much  of  a  protection  to  the  millions  of 
people  and  as  much  a  needed  protection  against 
the  wrongs  of  accumulated  capital,  as  the  tariff 
in  its  way  is  a  protection  to  our  people  against 
the  products  of  cheap  labor?  Have  we  not 
learned  that  tariff  duties  are  a  great  necessity  for 
the  welfare  of  our  people?  Then  is  not  this  bank- 
ing system  just  as  much  of  a  necessity  in  its  way 
to  protect  the  people  against  the  money  powers 
of  the  world? 

Is  it  not  a  known  fact  that  a  man  in  business 
with  his  own  capital  can  do  much  better  than 
one  in  business  on  borrowed  capital?  Then, 
would  not  the  same  be  true  of  the  people  in  gov- 


98  GOVERNMENT   BANKING. 

eminent  matters  with  their  own  capital  invested, 
instead  of  having  immense  individual  capital 
invested  for  their  use  in  such  affairs? 

If  the  people  will  study  this  subject  as  well 
and  as  thoroughly  as  they  have  the  tariff  laws 
they  will  learn  this  is  another  source  of  great 
loss  to  them,  and  one  which  has  been  sadly  neg- 
lected to  the  detriment  of  the  people,  but  through 
such  it  has  greatly  benefitted  the  great  money 
powers. 

It  is  desired  to  learn  the  principal  evils  that 
beset  us  on  all  sides  financially,  and  for  this 
reason  it  will  be  necessary  to  treat  of  each  sub- 
ject in  its  true  light,  regardless  of  party  lines 
and  individual  interests,  when  a  law  exists  that 
benefits  the  few  to  the  injury  of  the  many.  It 
will  be  noticed  that  in  laws  which  favor  a  few,  it 
id  that  class  which  controls  the  money  interests. 

We  must,  if  we  expect  to  have  true  prosperity, 
make  thorough  study  of  all  questions  that  affect 
the  great  mass  of  people.  This  is  amoral  obliga- 
tion required  of  us,  to  make  such  studies  that  are 
necessary  of  all  questions  relating  to  the  welfare 
of  the  people  and  to  work  for  the  interests  of  all, 
and  not  for  the  interests  of  the  few  against  the 
interests  of  the  many. 

Is  it  not  a  detriment  to  our  nation  to  have 
great  distress  among  us  on  account  of  the  pov- 
erty that  at  times  almost  beggars  description? 
Is  there  not  plenty  around  us  and  great  wealth 


GOVERNMENT    BANKING  99 

stored  in  close  proximity  to  such  poverty?  Does 
not  the  greatest  poverty  exist  where  the  greatest 
fortunes  are  enmassed?  That  the  greater  the 
fortunes  and  the  greater  the  number  of  them,  the 
greater  the  distress  among  the  people  generally 
on  account  of  the  need  of  the  most  common  ne- 
cessities of  life? 

Is  it  not  known  that  the  opposite  of  distress 
exists  in  communities  where  there  are  no  pre- 
tenses to  great  individual  wealth,  but  where  the 
people  are  known  as  well-to-do  people? 

In  communities  of  this  kind  the  people  are 
more  generous  and  are  less  grasping  to  get  the 
mighty  dollar  even  at  the  cost  of  the  comforts  of 
home,  from  some  poor  creature  who  is  not  able 
to  defend  himself  against  the  outrageous  prac- 
tices which  are  more  common  among  the  money 
powers. 

Are  the  moneyed  people  a  favored  class,  that 
the  millions  of  people  should  bear  such  unjust 
treatment,  to  build  up  and  make  even  greater 
fortunes  for  them?  So  that  they  and  their  chil- 
dren may  live  in  luxury  and  idleness  to  the  dis- 
advantage and  to  the  great  injury  of  the  great 
mass  of  people? 

Right  is  right  in  all  things,  and  should  and 
must  prevail  if  the  people  are  permitted  to  en- 
joy the  comforts  of  life  against  this  mighty 
money  grabbing  power. 

A  country  or  nation  contains  only  so  much 


100  GOVERNMENT    BANKING. 

wealth,  and  when  this  wealth,  with  the  natural 
increase  accruing  as  profits,  is  gradually  flow- 
ing to  a  few  who  control  the  great  money  power, 
and  it  is  collected  by  them  to  swell  these  im- 
mense fortunes  to  still  greater  ones,  is  it  not 
time  that  the  people  make  a  thorough  study  of 
these  great  questions  with  a  view  to  bettering 
their  condition? 

When  the  people  become  poor  through  such 
great  accumulations  of  wealth  by  the  few,  they 
are  looked  upon  as  miserable,  worthless  creatures, 
deserving  the  sympathy  of  no  one. 

But,  it  may  be  asked,  is  there  not  great  chari- 
table work  done  by  those  in  possession  of  great 
wealth?  Suppose  there  is;  the  total  amount  of 
all  their  gifts  would  only  be  a  pittance  as  com- 
pared to  the  great  wealth  they  possess,  and  the 
suffering  caused  by  the  accumulation  of  such 
wealth. 

Even  if  charitable  acts  are  performed,  do  we 
wish  to  substitute  this  charitv  for  that  which  we 

mt 

should  possess, prosperity?  Do  we  wish  the  people 
to  become  the  miserable  subjects  of  capital,  instead 
of  being  a  free3  independent  and  prosperous  peo- 
ple, intelligent  in  their  views  in  casting  their  votes 
for  the  true  interests  of  all  the  people? 

As  to  the  charitable  acts  being  performed,  if 
it  was  only  known  what  prompted  such  gifts, 
and  from  what  unfavorable  sources  regarding 
the  interests  of  humanity  such  great  wealth  in 


GOVERNMENT    TMIvKLNG:  101- 

many  instances  had  been  collected,  and  this 
could  be  shown  up  in  its  true  light  in  connection 
with  the  charitable  acts  performed,  it  might  re- 
late stories  of  unquestionable  suffering  for  which 
this  small  pittance  may  have  been  given,  more 
as  a  relief  to  conscience  stricken  individuals 
than  as  true  acts  of  charity  to  benefit  a  poverty 
stricken  people. 

Acrainst  the  great  evils  of  unmerciful  capital 
we  should  work  industriously  to  relieve  the 
wanton  misery  caused  by  such  laws  that  favor 
large  capital  against  the  interests  of  the  people, 
so  that  matters  financially  may  be  more  favora- 
bly adjusted  for  the  benefit  of  the  many,  and  not 
for  the  few  principally,  or,  in  other  words,  that 
all  the  people  may  be  put  on  a  more  equal  basis 
than  at  present  exists  regarding  financial 
methods. 

It  is  not  to  be  understood,  though,  that  cap- 
ital is  to  be  injured  in  the  least,  but  far  from 
this.  It  is  intended  to  look  forward  to  such 
legislative  acts  that  should  be,  that  will  protect 
honest  capital  against  the  unscrupulous  methods 
of  a  few  in  number  as  compared  to  the  whole 
number  of  people. 

Capitalists  should  have  the  privilege  to  invest 
their  money  in  any  legitimate  business  they  will 
carry   on   in    a    business    like    way;    but,    when 
they  step  beyond   the    bounds    of  business  pro 
priety  to  the  injury   of  others,   then  it  is  when 


GCVERNME-NT    BANKING. 


capital   is    doing    a    wrong,    and   it   should  be 
stopped. 

Proper  investments  and  proper  methods  will 
not  injure  any  one  even  when  large  capital  is  in- 
vested. But,  when  it  is  unscrupulously  and  un- 
mercifully invested,  then  it  should  be  considered 
a  crime  and  the  law  should  take  it  in  hand,  to 
save  the  people  from  the  perils  that  usually  fol- 
low such  transactions. 

Real  harm  exists  through  the  plotting  and 
grasping  of  capital  to  control  in  part  or  wholly 
any  commodity  in  the  markets  to  its  personal 
gain,  to  the  great  disadvantage  of  the  millions  of 
people  who  may  have  to  depend  upon  this  com- 
modity in  part  for  sustenance,  as  it  may  be  an 
every  day  article  of  food.  Such  uses  of  capital 
should  be  considered  a  great  crime,  and  should 
be  punished  accordingly. 

But,  is  this  done  satisfactorily  to  the  people? 
Not  by  any  means,  because  such  illy  gotten 
treasures  are  often  used  to  influence  legislation  to 
shield  such  transactions,  thus  making  the  crime 
doubly  worse. 

As  before  stated,  it  must  not  be  understood 
that  capital  is  to  be  injured,  as  this  would 
not  be  right;  it  is  necessary  to  have  capital 
to  carry  on  the  different  pursuits  in  business; 
and,  so  as  to  give  employment  to  those  who 
are  not  so  favorably  blessed  with  this  world's 
goods. 


GOVERNMENT   BANKING.  103 

Capital  properly  invested  is  a  great  blessing, 
and  we  should  look  upon  it  justly  invested  as  a 
means  of  success  and  prosperity  in  all  commun- 
ities where  it  is  so  invested. 

To  remedy  the  evils  when  not  justly  invested 
we  should  study  carefully  the  needs  of  the 
people,  and  legislate  in  the  interests  of  all;  and 
besides,  educate  the  people,  and  advance  them 
practically  as  well  as  theoretically  in  the  inter- 
ests of  good  government.  By  doing  this,  it.  will 
be  the  means  of  helping  to  put  a  stop  to  strikes 
and  like  disorders,  when,  also,  our  immigation 
laws  are  such  that  will  cut  off  from  our  shores 
the  disturbing  elements. 

Too  frequently,  when  trouble  exists  between 
capital  and  labor,  it  results  in  strikes  as  both 
sides  are  firmly  set  in  their  supposed  rights  and 
will  not  yield.  The  results  we  all  well  know, 
and  we  regret  at  any  time  to  learn  of  such  being 
declared;  even  when  terms  are  afterwards  made 
to  the  satisfaction  of  all,  apparently,  leaving  out 
the  account  of  loss  of  property  and  it  may  be, 
loss  of  life,  there  still  remains  a  bitterness  of 
feeling  that  requires  much  time  to  fully  eradi- 
cate. 

By  studying  such  questions  in  their  true  light 
we  certainly  can  see  that  a  government  banking 
system  with  government  ownership  of  the  gieat 
traffic  and  other  lines,  will  greatly  benefit  the 
millions  of  people,  that  now  need  the  govern- 


104  GOVERNMENT    BANKING. 

ment's   aid   to  make  times  truly  prosperous  for 
them. 

The  government  banking  system  would  lessen 
the  business  of  the  present  banking  systems  and 
cheapen  greatly  the  government  system  over  the 
present  ones  by  cutting  off  all  large  salaries  and 
unjust  profits.  For  under  a  government  system 
the  employees  would  receive  only  just  but  remu- 
nerative salaries  for  duties  performed,  and  the 
people  only  just  interest  on  deposits. 

What  if  it  does  lessen  the  business  of  the  in- 
dividual systems,  if  we  receive  a  better  and  a 
much  more  substantial  one  instead,  and  one  that 
will  benefit  the  great  mass  of  people. 

Is  it  not  better  to  enact  laws  that  will  benefit 
the  millions,  the  very  people  who  must  be  looked 
after,  and  give  them  every  opportunity  to  invest 
their  savings,  justly,  with  reasonably  fair  profits 
and  with  that  security  that  cannot  be  had  out- 
side of  a  government  institution?  Would  not  this 
banking  system  encourage  the  people  to  save 
much  money  that  now  goes  to  improper  use? 
This  would  certainly  lead  to  better  ways  and 
make  a  better  class  of  citizens. 

The  capitalists  may  say,  oh!  what  nonsense! 
such  foolishness!  but,  let  them  be  placed  in  the 
same  circumstances  of  many  an  honest,  hard- 
working man,  and  have  no  encouragement  as  to 
bettering  their  and  family's  circumstances,  let 
them  toil  on  and  on,  when  labor  can  be  had,  or 


GOVERNMENT   BANKING.  105 

let  them  idly  pass  their  time  away  when  work 
cannot  be  found,  their  wives  and  children  at 
home  without  the  common  comforts  of  life,  idling 
their  time  away,  for  through  the  husband  and 
father's  misfortune  they  have  not  the  means  by 
which  they  can  work  to  improve  the  homes,  to 
add  one  cheerful  look  during  such  gloomy  times, 
but  gradually  and  surely  their  circumstances 
grow  more  gloomy  as  each  day  passes  by  until 
not  even  the  most  needed  common  comforts  of 
life  can  be  had;  now  the  worst  of  all  comes,  that 
needed,  but  dreaded  and  most  pitying  of  all  cir- 
cumstances, charity,  with  its  degrading  in- 
fluences, but  bringing  temporary  relief,  looks 
upon  you  and  your  family  in  your  miserable 
plight,  wondering  how  it  is  possible  to  bo  re- 
duced to  such  miserable  circumstances;  but 
again,  look  beyond,  and  there  are  seen  stately 
mansions,  vying  with  each  other  in  gorgeously 
and  luxuriantly  furnished  apartments — these 
stand  aloof  from  such  undesirable  surroundings, 
but  may  there  be  an  awakening  within  to  a 
realization  of  duty  that  will  relieve  this  wanton 
misery  and  place  the  people  of  our  country  in 
their  true  positions  as  to  home,  comfort,  and 
every  privilege  and  enjoyment  due  them  as 
American  citizens. 

Yes,  let  the  capitalists  pass  through  such  an 
experience  for  a  few  weeks,  or  it  may  be  best  to 
make  it  a  few  months,  so  that  they  may  fully 


106  GOVERNMENT    BANKING. 

realize  the  sufferings,  the  intense  sufferings  of 
thousands  upon  thousands  of  those  who  are  so 
unfortunate  as  not  to  able  to  successfully  take 
care  of  themselves,  especially  so  when  such  odds 
are  against  them. 

If  the  capitalists  could  experience  the  bitter 
wrongs  inflicted  upon  the  people  they  might  be 
willing  at  the  expiration  of  the  time  allotted  to 
them  as  unfortuate  days,  to  listen  to  stories  of 
want  and  suffering  experienced  by  so  many,  and 
learn  from  this  lesson  that  which  has  been 
learned  to  the  sorrow  of  millions,  that  hunger 
and  cold  cannot  be  averted  by  anything  short  of 
the  very  necessities  of  life;  and  then  they  will 
also  learn  that  the  necessities  should  be  placed 
within  the  reach  of  every  human  being  to  be  ob- 
tained by  honest  toil,  and  not  through  charity,  a 
method  most  debasing  to  humanity;  for  once 
supported  by  charity  lessens  the  manhood  and 
womanhood  of  the  parties  so  benefitted.  For 
this  reason,  if  for  no  other,  it  is  far  better  to  be 
able  to  give  the  proper  means  by  which  labor 
can  be  performed  for  food  or  clothing,  or  for  both, 
than  to  give  without  price.  To  give  to  people  as 
subjects  of  charity  creates  dependent  and  help- 
less subjects  of  such,  instead  of  industrious  and 
independent  citizens  of  our  country. 

When  the  necessities  are  obtained  through 
proper  labor,  this  is  reassuring  that  manhood  and 
womanhood  instead  of  being  lowered  and  de- 


GOVERNMENT   BANKING  107 

based,  are  truly  exemplified  in  the  proud  thought 
that  independence  had  won  through  the  very  means 
in  which  it  was  intended  that  man's  honest  pos- 
sessions must  be  obtained,  that  is,  through  hon- 
est toil. 

Immense  fortunes  improperly  used,  and 
which  were  accumulated  from  sources  that  de- 
prived the  people  of  what  was  due  them,  are  det- 
rimental to  the  people,  and  legislation  should  be 
enacted  that  will  remedy  the  injustices  practiced 
in  obtaining  such  fortunes. 

This  should  not  be  treated  lightly  by  us,  as  it 
affects  each  and  every  one,  our  homes,  our  gen- 
eral prosperity,  and  our  children's  opportunities 
in  like  manner,  if  this  evil  remains  unchanged, 
thereby  permitting  this  great  flow  of  wealth, 
from  the  people  to  such  great  money  centers  un- 
abated. 

The  change  can  be  made,  justly  and  properly 
through  legislation,  just  as  soon  as  the  people 
can  realize  and  understand  their  positions  indi- 
vidually as  well  as  collectively,  on  account  of 
such  wrongs. 

We  should  not  tolerate  a  principle  which  in 
legislation  would  deprive  the  people  generally  of 
that  which  is  due  them  as  citizens.  It  is  any- 
thing but  a  credit  to  a  people  to  know  that  evils 
exist  when  they  through  such  evils  are  placed  in 
need  of  the  most  common  comforts  of  life. 

Some  may  say,  oh!  it  is  impossible  to  do  any- 


108  GOVERNMENT    BANKING. 

thing  with  such  people.  They  are  so  helpless, 
so  degraded,  that  they  have  no  ambitions,  no  de- 
sire for  bettering  their  opportunities,  but  they 
spend  their  time  idling  about,  just  as  you  see  them. 

This  may  be  true,  but  what  caused  it?  Was 
it  not  through  unkind  treatment  and  the  con- 
tinually lessening  of  opportunities  to  better  their 
ways,  that  crushed  every  fond  hope  cherished 
by  them? 

Let  anyone  be  placed  in  like  circumstances, 
no  matter  what  ambitions  may  have  been  enter- 
tained by  him,  during  such  a  trying  ordeal  he 
would  succumb  to  the  inevitable,  however  strong- 
he  may  have  been,  and  he  would  finally  be  found 
groping  his  way  along  the  same  avenue  of  dis- 
tress, unconscious  of  the  great  change  that  had 
overtaken  him,  only  in  a  general  way,  knowing 
that  circumstances  are  not  as  favorable  to  him 
as  they  were  in  former  days,  but  really,  he  does 
not  see  the  great  change,  the  degradation  sur- 
rounding him,  as  he  cannot  fully  realize  his  true 
condition. 

Should  we  not  try  to  better  such  conditions 
by  helping  to  raise  people  from  such  degradation, 
encouraging  them  to  take  proffered  labor,  such 
that  will  give  them  means  by  which  their 
wants  may  be  supplied?  Would  this  not  be  far 
better  than  to  deprive  them  of  every  means  of 
support,  and  thus  causing  them  to  become  sub- 
jects of  charity? 


GOVERNMENT    BANKING.  109 

There  is  another  matter,  which  is  usually 
overlooked  and  passed  without  attention,  which 
is  this:  Even  when  employment  is  steady  and 
well  paid,  each  and  every  person  so  employed 
should  have  time  for  pleasure  and  recreation. 

The  working  people  need  rest  and  pleasure 
just  the  same  as  people  in  higher  stations  of  life; 
and  when  such  conditions,  through  legislation  if 
need  be,  can  exist,  which  is  certainly  due  every  hon- 
est, industrious,  law-abiding  citizen,  we  will  have 
acquired  a  much  higher  position  in  our  political 
zenith  favoring  the  interests  of  humanity  than 
we  have  been  able  heretofore  to  possess  and 
occupy. 

Do  you  think  that  such  unfavorable  condi- 
tions as  now  exist  among  us  exist  without  a 
cause?  If  so  this  certainly  in  itself  needs  atten- 
tion to  awaken  the  thought  that  sleepeth,  and 
which  endangers  the  welfare  of  a  suffering  people. 

Under  such  circumstances  does  it  not  appear 
that  justice  cannot  be  meted  out  to  us  fully  until 
we  have  obliterated  every  vestige  of  the  stain  of 
wrong  possible  in  such  cases,  just  the  same  as  it 
was  done  during  the  slavery  period? 

Was  not  the  anti-slavery  movement  met  with 
vigorously  undue,  and  in  many  instances,  out- 
rageous treatment  simply  because  in  that  move- 
ment it  was  intended  to  undo  the  great  evils  that 
existed  at  that  time  through  the  establishing  of 
this  slavery  cause?  Also,  because  it  would  in- 


110  GOVERNMENT    BANKING. 

jure  financially  many  people  who  were  living  in 
luxury  at  the  cost  of  liberty  of  several  millions 
of  people?  And  through  loss  of  liberty  a  gener- 
ally demoralized  state  of  affairs  prevailed  among 
this  bondaged  people. 

Were  not  many  of  the  best  citizens  in  every 
section  of  the  country  in  sympathy  with  this 
most  diabolical  of  all  evil  institutions  in  our 
land?  Were  not  many  others,  while  not  in  sym- 
pathy with  slavery,  would  not  lend  a  helping 
hand  because  of  the  trouble  it  would  bring  forth 
if  this  inhuman  use  of  human  beings  as  slaves 
was  interfered  with?  Were  not  many  lacking 
in  moral  courage  to  help  right  the  wrongs 
that  then  existed,  which  so  degraded  a  portion  of 
the  human  race  and  deprived  them  of  liberty  to 
satisfy  the  avaricious,  unthoughtful,  and  in 
many  instances,  the  most  unprincipled  beings 
that  imagination  could  bring  forth? 

Was  not  this  slavery  cause  finally  overthrown 
and  would  we  now  wish  it  restored? 

Have  we  not  with  us  now  causes  of  distress  to 
contend  with,  in  order  to  right  the  existing  finan- 
cial evils?  But  can  the  people  see  the  evils  as 
they  exist?  Will  there  not  be  many  lacking  in 
moral  courage  to  openly  denounce  such  evils? 
Will  not  others  fear  that  some  might  suffer  finan- 
cially in  their  grasping  ways,  if  such  evils  were 
righted?  Do  they  think  of  the  intense  suffering 
of  the  many,  the  thousands,  the  hundreds  of 


GOVERNMENT   BANKING.  Ill 

thousands,  who  are  simply  deprived  of  the  com- 
mon necessities  of  life,  that  such  luxury  may  be 
enjoyed  by  the  few? 

Many  people  cannot  and  will  not  see  the  ex- 
isting evils  until,  like  during  the  slavery  period, 
it  is  forced  upon  them;  and  even  then  it  will  not 
be  acknowledged  by  them  generally  as  great 
wrongs  until  after  the  battle  of  ballots  has  won 
the  cause  for  the  people,  and  justice  is  so  fully 
established  as  to  make  odious  the  thoughts  of  re- 
establishing that  which  now  is  generally  con- 
ceded as  proper  and  legitimate. 

It  is  not  believed  that  any  people  could  be 
found  who  now  would  wish  slavery  re-established, 
the  very  institution  which  at  one  time  received 
the  support  of  many  of  the  best  citizens  of  our 
country;  and,  just  so  it  is  hoped,  that  in  time 
the  people  may  look  back  upon  history  relating 
to  the  financial  trouble  of  our  country  and  can  say 
with  pride,  that,  unprincipled  capital,  with  that 
most  inhuman  business,  slavery,  were  destined 
through  righteous  acts  of  humanity  to  that  per- 
fect destruction  which  will  never  permit  their 
possessors  to  occupy  again,  as  such,  positions  of 
dignified  supremacy  in  our  land. 

The  questions  before  us  as  a  people  must  be 
met  in  time  and  most  heroically  too.  There  is 
no  use  to  try  to  discard  them  now,  for  if  we  do 
the  evils  will  only  increase  in  time,  and  we  will 
receive  such  a  rebuke  in  delaying  justice  that 


112  GOVERNMENT   BANKING. 

was  given  to  that  most  immoral  of  all  immoral 
institutions,  slavery,  which  was  fastening  its 
poisonous  fangs  into  the  vitals  of  our  commo^ 
but  one  of  the  most  cherished  of  our  American 
institutions,  liberty. 

Do  not  the  questions  of  the  present  day  direct 
our  attention  to  the  same  dangers  of  the  past 
encroaching  upon  us,  but  from  other  sources, 
which  will  cause  great  strife  for  supremacy  for 
the  right  if  attention  is  not  given  them  at  pres- 
ent? 

If  such  dangers  are  not  thwarted,  will  they 
not  in  time  lead  us  as  a  people  to  positions  of 
degradation  and  will  we  not  become  the  slaves  of 
this  unscrupulous  and  tyrannical  money  power? 

Let  us  not  hesitate,  but  let  us  during  the  pe- 
riod of  the  coming  presidential  term  do  our  duty 
in  behalf  of  one  of  the  noblest  causes  of  human- 
ity that  has  ever  been  presented  to  the  American 
people  for  just  consideration,  and  with  the 
power  of  legislation  at  hand  seek  to  benefit  the 
great  mass  of  people,  even  those  who  now  feel  the 
sting  of  financial  depression.  By  earnestly  pre- 
senting the  cause  of  justice  we  will  make  friends 
of  those  who  may  now  oppose  us. 

Can  we  blame  the  people  much  for  such  bitter 
feelings  when  such  Bufferings  attend  them? 
When  the  necessities  of  life  are  within  their 
reach,  but  cannot  be  possessed  even  at  the  cost  of 
labor? 


GOVERNMENT  BANKING.  113 

Would  not  anyone  if  he  could  not  receive  the 
necessary  supplies  to  relieve  him  of  such  distress, 
and  this  state  of  affairs  continued  from  season 
to  season,  and  from  year  to  year,  feel  that  endur- 
ing such  privations  were  more  than  mortal  could 
long  endure? 

Look  upon  this  question  justly  and  then  act 
heroically  in  the  matter,  and  we  are  sure  of  suc- 
cess in  time  in  such  legislative  enactments  that 
will  relieve  much  of  the  distress  caused  by  the 
oppressive  financial  yoke  that  now  so  bitterly 
galls  the  people. 

Again,  when  capital  is  so  great  that  it  is  able 
to  buy  up  governments,  as  far  as  the  business 
transactions  are  concerned,  it  is  certainly  time  to 
cut  off  the  avenues  of  such  great  success,  turning 
them  so  that  they  will  bring  success  to  the  people. 

Then  in  time  the  issuing  of  bonds  by  the  gov- 
ernment to  be  sold  to  individual  great  capital 
will  be  a  matter  of  history,  for  such  bonds  will 
not  be  needed  to  carry  on  the  great  industries  of 
the  government,  any  more  than  slavery  of  the 
past  is  now  needed  for  the  purpose  for  which  it 
was  instituted. 

Is  it  not  known  that  during  periods  of  finan- 
cial distress  among  the  money  powers  of  this 
country  the  government  has  recognized  to  a  de- 
gree, this  distress?  But  have  the  people  been  so 
fortunate  as  to  receive  such  prompt  attention  in 
matters  affecting  them?  If  such  recognition  is 


114  GOVERNMENT  BANKING. 

good  for  one,  should  it  not  be  good  for  the  other? 
Are  we  led  to  believe  that  capital  is  favored? 

It  should  not  be,  but  through  custom  the  ills 
relating  to  such  have  received  more  prompt  at- 
tention than  the  people  in  matters  relating  di- 
rectly to  them.  It  is  just  as  we  see  it  in  every 
day  life,  people  with  money  receive  more  atten- 
tion than  those  without  it. 

In  the  ballot,  though,  there  are  no  riches. 
We  all  stand  alike  and  equal  in  this  one  thing — 
suffrage — in  all  law-abiding  communities;  if  it  is 
not  true  with  us  in  any  community,  it  will  be 
found  to  exist  where  human  slavery  was  once  a 
predominating  feature  of  its  people,  and  for  this 
reason,  among  others,  let  us  look  to  our  interests 
as  a  people,  in  the  great  questions  now  before  us. 

If  in  the  establishment  and  final  overthrow 
of  that  once  infamous  institution,  slavery,  we 
see,  even  at  this  late  period,  that  those  then  en- 
slaved but  since  liberated,  have  not  equal  rights? 
as  it  was  intended  they  should  have  under  the 
law,  being  the  results  of  ill  feeling  engendered  by 
making  equal,  the  slave  to  his  master,  at  the 
polls,  is  it  not  reasonable  to  suppose  that  the 
people  will  be  similarly  affected,  if  the  money 
powers  ever  have  an  opportunity  to  so  effectually 
fasten  its  poisonous  fangs,  as  did  slavery,  into 
the  vitals  of  this  common,  but  now  somewhat 
depressed  liberty? 

This  should  not  be  treated  lightly  by  us,  but 


GOVERNMENT  BANKING.  115 

with  our  best  thoughts  let  us  intelligently  battle 
the  great  evils  before  it  is  too  late  to  obtain  that 
justly  due  us  by  the  ballot. 

But  we  may  hear  many  say  that  it  is  neces- 
sary for  special  attention  to  be  given  to  capital, 
so  that  we  may  have  such  to  carry  on  the  differ- 
ent pursuits  of  trade.  This  may  be  true  in  the 
illegitimate  use  of  capital;  but  capital  properly 
invested  will  not  need  any  more  attention  in  leg- 
islation and  will  not  ask  for  more  than  is  re- 
quired to  protect  the  most  humble  and  depen- 
dent citizen  of  our  country.  It  is  the  illegiti- 
mate use  that  requires  such  careful  attention, 
and  it  is  this  and  not  the  legitmate  uses  that 
should  be  overthrown  in  favor  of  the  people. 

Capital  that  requires  such  an  array  of  legal 
talent  at  enormous  salaries  may,  with  very  reas- 
onable certainty,  be  judged  correctly  as  capital 
improperly  invested,  as  regards  the  people's  in- 
terests, and  conducted  through  methods  unfavor- 
able to  the  people  and  not  supported  by  business 
principles,  as  generally  understood  by  judicious 
capital. 

To  establish  a  government  banking  system 
would  to  a  great  degree  overthrow  the  illegiti- 
mate uses  of  capital  and  would  give  the  people  a 
chance  to  furnish  in  part  the  needed  money  to 
carry  on  the  great  transactions  of  government. 
This  would  eradicate  many  abuses  now  practiced 
upon  the  people.  They  have  no  chance  now  in 


116  GOVERNMENT  BANKING. 

money  matters  relating  to  the  government,  ex- 
cept to  pay  the  bills  as  rendered,  which  it  must 
be  said  is  rather  a  one-sided  affair. 

The  people  do  not  receive  the  benefits  they 
should  in  helping  to  create  means  whereby 
such  great  obligations  can  be  judiciously 
disposed  of  by  the  government,  and  unless 
opportunities  are  given  them  to  receive  such 
benefits  through  the  investment  of  their  money, 
they  will  in  time  become  so  poor  they  will  be 
unable  to  care  for  themselves.  The  advantage 
of  capital  over  the  people  will  deprive  them 
of  every  right  due  them,  unless  a  change 
is  made  to  give  them  relief.  It  will  be 
the  amassing  of  immense  fortunes  by  the  few 
to  the  increasing  poverty  among  the  many,  thus 
making  the  people  the  subjects  of  this  tyrannical 
money  power  and  subjects  of  charity,  being  de- 
based in  principles  relating  to  citizenship  to  such 
an  extent  as  to  look  upon  gifts  from  this  source 
as  proper  and  due  them,  instead  of  being  inde- 
pendent and  free  citizens  in  every  sense  of  the 
term,  obtaining  sustenance  as  the  rewards  of 
labor  from  just  employment  or  business  tran- 
sacted. 

To   make  the  changes  in  matters  that  so  af 
fects  us,  it  must  be    admited,  cannot   be    accom- 
plished in  a  day  nor  year,  and  not  even  during 
one  presidential   period;  but  like  the  building  of 
the  navy,  or  any  other  great  project  for  the  in- 


GOVERNMENT  BANKING.  117 

terest  or  protection  of  good  government,  a  cer- 
tain amount  of  work  can  be  laid  out  to  be  per- 
formed during  a  certain  period  of  time,  and  an- 
other part  for  another  period,  until  in  time  there 
will  have  been  wonders  accomplished  in  the  way 
of  bettering  the  conditions  of  the  people,  and 
bringing  about  a  true  state  of  affairs  regarding 
government. 


GOVERNMENT  RAILROADS,  TEL- 
EGRAPH AND  EXPRESS 

Government   Ownership  of  These   Properties  a 
True  means  of   Investment   of  the  People's 
Money  Through  a  Government  Bank- 
ing  System,    to   Induce   Frugality 
and  thus  Lessen  the  Great  Suf- 
fering Among  the  People, 
Due  to  Financial  Evils* 

IN  THIS  subject  lies  a  principle  just  as  impor- 
tant to  the  American  people  as  either  of  the 
subjects  we  have  reviewed  in  past  chapters.  The 
laws  are  such  now  that  these  great  properties 
are  owned  and  controlled  by  comparatively  few 
persons,  and  a  great  part  is  owned  by  capital  of 
foreign  countries. 

The  purchase  of  the  railroads  by  the  govern- 
ment would  naturally  absorb  the  interests  of  tel- 
egraph and  express  companies,  as  they  traverse 
and  are  carried  over  the  property  of  the  railroads 
and  the  government  would  not  lease  its  proper- 
ties to  capital  to  use  in  such  ways,  but  would 
transact  business  of  its  own  in  these  lines. 

The  purchase  of  the  telegraph  and  express 
companies  interests  could  be  made  in  the  same 

118 


GOVERNMENT  OWNERSHIP  111) 

way  as  would  be  necessary  in  the  purchase  of 
the  railroads,  as  these  properties  are  in  reality  a 
part  of  the  other,  as  far  as  the  interests  of  the 
people  are  concerned.  They  are  so  extensive  and 
carry  on  business  of  such  great  importance  and 
are  so  closely  allied  to  the  people's  interests  that 
they  through  such  interests  more  rightfully  belong 
to  the  people  than  to  individuals  representing 
capital. 

When  properties  are  of  such  magnitude  that 
transact  business  encompassing  the  boundaries 
of  a  country,  crossing  and  recrossing  its  territory 
by  means  of  extending  their  lines  individually 
or  through  a  combination  of  interests  extend 
them  over  and  through  the  properties  of  thou- 
sands of  individual  owners,  obtaining  such  priv- 
ileges either  by  grant  or  purchase,  they  should  be 
owned  and  controlled  exclusively  for  the  benefit 
of  the  people  and  government. 

The  business  of  these  great  properties  will 
never  be  transacted  by  corporations  any  more 
successfully  for  the  people  than  corporations 
would  carry  on  the  extensive  business  of  the 
present  government  postal  system.  We  very 
well  know  that  this  postal  business  has  been  en- 
larged and  improved  upon  from  time  to  time, 
until  it  has  become  simply  wonderful  as  to  the 
magnitude  of  the  business  transacted  and  the 
degree  of  perfection  in  which  its  every  part  is 
being  adjusted,  as  well  as  the  extremely  low  rate 


120  GOVERNMENT  OWNERSHIP 

charged  the  people  in  transacting  this  business. 

A  letter  properly  addressed  and  stamped  can 
be  placed  in  a  government  letter  box  at  or  near 
one's  door,  or  mailed  at  the  postoffice  if  living  in 
the  country,  and  it  will  be  delivered  by  the 
postal  department  at  any  place  to  which  it  is 
addressed  within  the  United  States,  and  even 
Canada,  through  its  postal  service,  for  only  two 
cents,  charged  to  defray  expenses  of  such  delivery. 

Do  you  think  that  any  corporation  or  any 
number  of  combined  corporations  would  give  as 
good  and  perfect  service  for  anything  like  the 
exceedingly  small  amount  charged  by  the  gov- 
ernment? 

Not  by  any  means,  just  for  the  reason  that 
the  government  is  carrying  on  the  business  for 
the  people  and  it  charges  such  rates  only  as  will 
defray  the  expenses  of  the  department.  It  has 
no  desire  to  collect  from  the  people  any  more 
money  than  is  necessary  to  transact  this  busi- 
ness, and  the  result  is,  it  carries  on  this  great 
traffic  at  actual  cost,  so  that  the  people  may  de- 
rive from  this  system  the  greatest  benefits  possi- 
ble to  be  derived  from  this  property  under  gov- 
ernment control. 

Let  us  see  what  constitutes  this  great  govern- 
ment that  it  performs  its  work  so  favorably  and 
entirely  for  the  people's  interests.  Is  it  not  the 
people,  after  all,  transacting  their  own  postal 
business  under  the  name  of  government,  select- 


GOVERNMENT  OWNERSHIP  121 

ing  and  employing  a  sufficient  number  of  intel- 
ligent and  honest  people  from  among  themselves 
to  transact  this  great  business  for  them,  the  peo- 
ple paying  such  employees  for  services  only  fair 
but  remunerative  salaries?  Does  not  this  fully 

•/ 

explain  why  so  much  is  received  for  so  little  ex- 
pense incurred? 

Having  considered  the  great  benefits  derived 
from  the  postal  system,  the  business  being  trans- 
acted by  the  government  for  the  people,  it  is  de- 
sired to  consider  now  this  same  business  as  if  it 
were  placed  in  the  hands  of  a  corporation  or  a 
combination  of  corporations,  to  be  transacted  for 
the  people,  this  to  be  considered  simply  as  a 
matter  of  comparison  only  between  the  two  great 
systems,  so  as  to  show  the  great  benefits  the  peo- 
ple derive  from  the  government  system  over  that 
of  the  corporation. 

Do  we  not  see  at  once  that  by  this  term,  cor- 
poration, the  business  is  set  apart,  and  from  the 
people,  instead  of  being  owned  and  controlled  by 
them?  Instead  of  it  being  a  part  of  their  pos- 
sessions it  would  be  in  the  hands  of  a  few  with 
capital?  The  transacting  of  this  business  would 
be  a  service  performed  for  the  people  by  this  or 
these  corporations  for  the  benefit  of  capital  so  in- 
vested? And  which  means,  still  further,  that  it 
would  benefit  the  few  financially,  the  very  peo- 
ple only  who  possess  the  capital  invested,  at  the 
expense  of  the  great  mass  of  people  for  whom 


122  GOVERNMENT  OWNERSHIP 

this  service  would  be  performed?  And  capital 
to  draw  large  salaries  and  dividends  for  this  ser- 
vice? 

Is  there  not  quite  a  difference  in  the  meaning 
of  the  terms  corporation  and  government  as  ap- 
plied to  the  great  postal  system?  Do  you  not 
suppose  that  there  would  be  just  as  great  a 
difference  if  these  terms  were  applied  in  the  same 
way  to  the  different  kinds  of  business  or  prop- 
erties that  we  have  under  consideration?  And 
further,  do  you  suppose  the  people  would  be  suc- 
cessful in  having  capital  carry  a  letter  for  two 
cents  to  any  part  of  our  country,  just  the  same 
that  is  now  being  done  by  the  government  for 
the  people?  That  capital  would  transact  the 
business  of  the  postal  system  for  the  people  in  a 
manner  to  defray  expenses  only,  and  not  look  to 
its  own  reward?  No,  its  own  reward  would  be 
the  first  thing  to  be  considered,  and  to  be  con- 
sidered well,  while  the  welfare  of  the  people 
would  be  only  a  secondary  matter;  and  besides 
this  the  people  would  be  considered  the  source  or 
means  through  which  and  by  which  capital  must 
be  well  rewarded. 

Instead  of  having  a  letter  carried  to  any  part 
of  our  country  for  only  two  cents,  it  is  possible 
that  we  might  be  required  to  pay  four  or  five 
times  this  amount,  and  even  much  more  than 
this  if  such  letters  were  to  be  deliverrd  at  places 
remote  from  the  civilized  portions  of  our  country. 


GOVERNMENT  OWNERSHIP  128 

Is  it  not  fully  understood  that  the  govern- 
ment does  not  make  any  extra  charges  on  mail 
matter  to  be  delivered,  even  to  the  most  remote 
points  of  our  country?  And  further,  that  the 
government  delivers  mail  at  such  points  at  a  cost 
of  many  dollars  for  each  letter  delivered,  so  the 
people,  those  sending  as  well  as  those  receiving 
them,  may  have  the  same,  as  it  may  be  termed, 
free  use  of  the  mails?  The  only  difference  is  the 
deliveries  are  much  less  frequent  to  such  points, 
the  time  extending  it  may  be  to  periods  of  several 
weeks  between  such  deliveries,  but  even  these 
infrequent  deliveries  are  made  for  the  especial 
benefit  of  the  people. 

Do  you  suppose  for  one  moment  that  capital 
would  or  could  work  for  the  interests  of  the  peo- 
ple so  faithfully  by  sustaining  such  great  losses 
as  the  government  in  many  such  instances? 
Has  not  the  government  under  one  great  system 
every  advantage  over  corporations  in  averaging 
its  profits  and  losses  so  as  to  make  such  favora- 
ble rates?  And  besides,  the  government  is  not 
handicapped  by  the  many  extravagant  applica- 
tions of  its  money,  as  capital  is,  to  benefit  itself, 
for  the  reason  that  the  business  is  conducted 
solely  to  benefit  the  people. 

Do  you  suppose  the  salaries  of  the  chief  offi- 
cers of  such  corporations  would  be  anything  like 
as  reasonable  as  the  salaries  of  the  chiof  officers 
of  the  present  postal  system?  And  are  not  the 


124  GOVERNMENT  OWNERSHIP 

officers  of  this  postal  system  well  paid  for  the 
services  performed  by  them?  Under  the  man- 
agement of  the  present  postal  system  are  there 
not  millions  of  dollars  saved  yearly  to  the  people 
by  having  such  a  system  in  vogue,  instead  of  a 
corporation  system? 

If  this  great  postal  work  is  performed  so  ben- 
eficially for  the  people,  why  should  not  much 
greater  benefits  be  derived  by  them  from  govern- 
ment ownership  and  control  of  the  numerous 
railroads,  as  well  as  the  great  telegraph  and  ex- 
press lines  of  the  land?  These  properties,  while 
being  of  so  much  importance  to  the  people  in  a 
financial  way,  would  be  of  the  utmost  impor- 
tance to  the  government  during  periods  of  riot 
and  war,  when  so  much  depends  upon  them  as  a 
means  of  transportation  and  delivering  impor- 
tant messages,  as  required  during  such  disturb- 
ances. 

Is  it  not  pretty  generally  understood  that  cap 
ital  requires  many  salaries  for  itself,  but  few  as  pos 
sible  and  low  priced  ones  to  the  people  who  per- 
form the  labor  for  capital?     Is   this  not   where 
one  of  the  great  savings   would  be  made  for  the 
people,  in   salaries  paid   to   capital,   when  such 
kinds  of  business  as  named  are  brought  under 
government  control? 

The  government  pays  well  for  services  per- 
formed for  the  people,  but  it  does  not  over-pay 
as  is  the  case  with  capital  to  itself;  but  capital 


GOVERNMENT  OWNERSHIP  125 

does  not  over-pay  labor,  for  in  this  it  is  certainly 
greatly  deficient  as  compared  with  salaries  paid 
to  itself. 

In  this  way  of  rewarding  services  performed 
can  we  not  see  that  the  people  in  a  manner  be- 
come slaves  financially  to  capital?  Is  this  not  a 
dreadful  state  of  affairs  to  be  contemplated, 
when  slavery  in  this  form  is  compared  with 
human  slavery  of  years  ago,  that  existed  in  a 
portion  of  our  country,  and  we  well  know  the 
dreadful  results?  And  that  we  can  see  yet, 
even  to  this  day,  the  hatred  and  injustices  per- 
petrated against  the  subjects  of  that  awful 
period  in  the  sections  of  country  where  slavery 
existed? 

Would  not  the  same  evil  disposition  be 
shown  the  people,  and  it  may  be  shown  them 
now  in  thousands  of  instances  where  the  people 
assert  their  rights  against  the  outrages  of  capital, 
and  which  no  doubt  they  are  perfectly  justifiable 
in  doing? 

Could  not  our  attention  be  called  to  this 
dreadful  state  of  affairs  existing  in  some  of  the 
old  countries  at  this  day,  in  which  the  people  are 
simply  slaves  to  capital,  as  well  as  in  reality, 
human  slaves  in  everv  sense  of  the  word  as  far 

V 

as  justice  and  liberty  to  them  is  concerned? 
Cannot  a  very  bad  state  of  affairs  in  this  respect 
be  found  in  communities  of  our  own  country? 
Do  we  wish  to  have  this  continued,  and  extend 


126  GOVERNMENT  OWNERSHIP 

the  borders  of  such  degradation  so  as  to  include 
other  communities,  and  thus  grow  and  spread 
like  slavery  during  its  time,  until  the  people  are 
almost  powerless  in  the  hands  of  unprincipled 
capital?  Not  by  any  means,  but  we  should  work 
diligently  to  overcome  the  evils  now  becoming  so 
firmly  established  through  the  unmerciful  meas- 
ures adopted  by  unscrupulous  capital  to  obtain 
such  ends. 

In  going  back  to  that  point  in  Avhich  anyone 
might  suppose  that  capital  would  work  for  the 
interests  of  the  people  as  the  government 
in  its  efforts  to  serve  the  people  in  the 
postal  business,  let  any  person  who  wishes  to 
test  this  matter  do  so  by  sending  a  package  to  a 
person  located  at  some  remote  station  along  the 
line  of  some  railroad,  and  then  learn  what  the 
charges  would  be  for  delivering  such  package,  or 
let  him  send  a  message  to  be  delivered  by  either 
of  the  great  telegraph  companies  to  someone 
located  in  a  far  off  or  out  of  the  way  place  along 
its  line  of  business  and  learn  from  this  whether 
it  is  transacting  its  business  in  a  manner  that 
would  indicate  that  it  is  solely  for  the  interests 
of  the  people  or  whether  it  is  performing  a  duty 
for  the  people,  solely  for  the  benefit  of  capital. 
You  may  be  astonished  at  the  prices  charged 
in  either  case,  as  they  would  be  very  heavy. 

Upon  inquiry  it  will  be  found  also  that  rates 
on  other  than  competing  lines  are  higher  than 


GOVERNMENT  OWNERSHIP  127 

competing  rates,  as  if  it  would  cost  more  or  less 
to  have  or  not  to  have  some  other  road  or  line  to 
compete  with,  when  even  the  established  rates  on 
competing  lines  are  exorbitant,  for  the  reason 
that  capital  must  be  well  paid. 

Some  people  may  say  that  it  is  necessary  to 
have  the  established  rates  as  now  made  up,  as 
there  is  not  enough  travel  and  traffic  to  pay  for 
the  investments. 

But  can  this  be  true  considering  the  extrava- 
gant uses  of  capital  to  reward  itself?  Is  not 
travel  and  traffic  light  simply  because  the  rates 
are  so  high  that  it  bars  out  all  such,  except  that 
which  is  necessary?  Would  not  cheaper  rates 
create  more  business,  and  much  more  than 
enough  to  make  up  the  loss  in  the  present  rates? 

Is  this  not  true  in  all  suburban  rates  estab- 
lished for  people  living  near  cities?  Are  not  the 
rates  so  established  in  many  instances  only  about 
one-fourth  of  the  regular  rates  otherwise  charged? 
Are  not  many  trains  scheduled  on  roads  making 
such  reductions,  to  accomodate  the  people,  that 
under  the  regular  rates  would  not  be  necessary? 
If  the  special  rates  were  not  established  do  you 
suppose  that  the  country  for  many  miles  out 
from  the  cities  on  such  roads  would  be  so  nicely 

H 

built  up,  towns  so  closely  located  to  each  other 
that  in  many  instances  only  streets  serve  as  di- 
viding lines? 

If  such  rates  have  been  so  beneficial  in  build- 


128  GOVERNMENT  OWNERSHIP 

ing  suburban  villages,  would  not  favorable  rates 
established  by  the  railroads  for  their  routes  have 
about  the  same  effect  in  building  up  the  country 
generally? 

Are  not  excuses  as  made  by  corporations  re- 
garding charges  simply  statements  to  shield  cap- 
ital in  its  selfish  desire  to  get  as  much  money  as 
possible  from  the  people  for  little  work  performed  ? 
That  it  is  necessary  to  collect  so  much  money 
from  the  people  to  reward  capital,  whether  such 
services  are  satisfactory  to  the  people  or  not? 

If  the  government  should  charge  eight  or  ten 
cents  for  delivering  letters  instead  of  the  two 
cent  rate  do  you  not  think  there  would  be  but 
very  few  letters  mailed  as  compared  with  the 
number  now  mailed,  and  not  even  enough  to 
make  the  collections  on  postage  amount  to  as 
much -as  it  does  at  the  present  time?  And  be- 
sides, we  would  not  receive  as  great  or  extended 
a  service  as  we  now  receive. 

Is  not  the  cause  in  regard  to  travel  and 
traffic  being  light  at  the  present  time  as  com- 
pared to  what  it  might  be  due  principally  to  the 
fact  that  the  people  are  barred  out  of  most  of  the 
benefits  they  should  receive  through  the  exhor- 
bitant  prices  charged  by  such  companies? 

Do  we  not  see  also  that  capital  takes  advan- 
tages of  the  people  for  its  own  interests,  even 
when  it  is  permitted  to  extend  its  properties  over 
and  through  the  individual  properties  of  thou- 


GOVERNMENT  OWNERSHIP  129 

sands  of  people  whom  it  so  excessively  charges, 
so  as  to  make  the  great  profits  for  capital,  and 
when  there  is  no  competition  make  still  greater 
charges  for  the  benefit  of  itself. 

Is  not  the  postal  system  extended  to  every  in- 
habited portion  of  our  land  to  be  used  by  the 
people,  and  for  the  sole  benefit  of  the  people,  at 
extremely  low  rates  as  compared  with  rates  as 
charged  by  railroads,  telegraph  and  express 
companies. 

Of  course  we  could  not  expect  the  individual 
companies  to  make  such  low  rates  as  the  govern- 
ment could  if  in  possession  of  such  properties, 
and  through  one  great  system  in  each  kind  of 
property,  averaging  its  rates  so  as  to  make  a 
slight  gain  at  certain  points  to  offset  the  great 
losses  at  other  points.  We  could  not  expect  this 
even  if  capital  should  perform  its  work  on  the 
most  economical  basis  possible  for  it  to  follow. 

Even  if  we  cannot  expect  such  benefits  from 
capital  it  is  no  reason  that  the  people  should  be 
deprived  of  that  which  is  due  them,  but,  instead, 
such  changes  should  be  made  at  the  earliest  date 
possible,  so  as  to  benefit  the  people. 

We  are  working  for  the  interests  of  the  great 
mass  of  people  and  not  for  the  interests  of  indi- 
vidual great  capital.  The  sooner  we  realize  the 
injustice  to  the  people,  due  to  improper  methods 
established  by  capital,  and  the  sooner  we  rectify 
them,  just  so  soon  we  will  be  released  from  the 


130  GOVERNMENT  OWNERSHIP 

fetters  of  this  financial  bondage  that,  unless 
broken,  will  in  time  claim  us  as  just  subjects  of 
its  tyranical  power. 

Then  should  not  such  injustices  be  humane 
reasons  why  we  should  favor  government  owner- 
ship and  full  control  of  the  properties  named,  so 
the  people  may  be  truly  benefitted  in  the  use  of 
these  great  properties? 

Would  not  there  be  in  the  event  [of  govern- 
ment ownership  of  the  properties  in  question 
such  proportionate  rates  established  that  would 
benefit  the  people  to  the  greatest  degree  possible 
to  be  obtained,  just  in  the  same  manner  that  the 
postal  system  is  now  conducted,  and  no  competi- 
tion would  be  required  to  get  for  the  people  what 
is  due  them?  Would  this  not  be  done  in  justice 
to  the  people,  because  it  would  be  the  people 
through  those  chosen  from  among  themselves  to 
transact  this  business  for  them? 

Do  we  not  see  that  any  profits  accruing  from 
such  properties  would  go  to  a  common  treasury 
for  the  use  of  the  government  to  pay  for  such 
properties,  and  this  in  connection  with  the  gov- 
ernment banking  system  would  simply  produce 
wonders  in  a  few  years  in  establishing  confidence 
and  securing  in  time  the  full  ownership  of  these 
great  properties. 

What  rights  has  capital  over  the  people  to 
such  properties  which  in  the  very  nature  of 
things  should  belong  to  the  people?  Why 


GOVERNMENT  OWNERSHIP  131 

should  these  properties  be  in  the  possession  of 
individual  capital  any  more  than  the  present 
postal  system,  which  we  know  is  under  full  gov- 
ernment control,  and  is  of  such  great  benefit  to 
the  people?  Besides,  if  the  government  had  the 
railroads  in  its  possession  fully,  it  is  possible  we 
would  have  much  lower  postal  rates  than  we 
now  have. 

It  is  understood  that  a  movement  has  been 
inaugurated  to  induce  railroad  employes  to  pur- 
chase stock,  thereby  becoming  directly  inter- 
ested in  railroad  property.  This  looks  and  seems 
very  plausible  upon  the  statement  made,  but  it 
is  a  very  dangerous  scheme  to  any  employe  who 
invests  his  money  in  this  way.  It  is  a  very 
clever  way  for  capital  to  deceive  the  working 
people,  for  behind  this  proposition  lies  a  princi- 
ple endangering  the  welfare  of  any  man  who  be- 
comes so  entrapped.  The  following  are  some  of 
the  principal  reasons  why  such  a  move  should 
not  be  accepted  as  proper: 

First — Capital  will  not  sell  its  controlling  in- 
terests in  such  properties.  It  may  approach  this 
point  in  such  sales,  but  not  to  and  including  it. 

Second — Collecting  from  the  employes  money 
on  stock  virtually  reduce  ^  the  payments  on  pay- 
rolls just  so  much,  and  the  employes  would  be 
getting  just  so  much  less  salary  through  stock 
investments. 

Third — The     employes    would    hold     paper 


132  GOVERNMENT  OWNERSHIP 

called  stock,  instead  of  money  as  salary,  which 
would  be  controlled  by  the  principals  of  capital 
to  their  interest,  but  to  the  detriment  of  those  in- 
veigled into  such  a  scheme. 

Fourth — It  is  a  dangerous  movement  for  peo- 
ple of  small  means  to  invest  their  money  in 
stock  of  great  enterprises,  when  such  can  be  so 
easily  controlled  by  a  few  who  are  sure  to  hold 
the  controlling  interest. 

Fifth — Just  as  soon  as  the  employes  are 
bound  hand  and  foot  in  such  investments,  then 
capital  will  make  it  most  unwholesomely  un- 
comfortable for  them,  as  it  will  have  the  power  to 
make  almost  worthless  such  stock,  if  matters  do 
not  move  along  to  the  satisfaction  of  itself. 

Sixth — The  capitalists,  will  have  the  money 
and  much  more  than  the  stock  sold  cost  them; 
the  employes,  the  paper  purchased  at  much 
more  than  it  is  worth.  This  would  secure  the 
capitalists  at  the  loss  of  the  employes. 

Seventh — Such  properties  should  belong  to 
the  government  to  benefit  all  the  people,  instead 
of  being  controlled  by  individual  capital  or  capital 
and  labor  combined,  at  the  expense  of  the  people. 

If  capital  and  labor  should  succeed  in  estab- 
lishing equitable  terms  between  them,  would 
not  such  a  combination  be  so  much  the  worse 
for  the  people,  as  it  would  be  in  the  nature  of  a 
trust  to  control  matters  for  the  benefit  of  such  a 
combination? 


GOVERNMENT  OWNERSHIP  133 

There  is  not  much  danger,  though,  of  such  a 
combination  being  formed,  for  when  labor  fully 
understands  its  position  in  such  transactions,  it 
will  be  rather  shy  in  upholding  them.  The  laborers 
in  time,  under  such  an  arrangement  proposed, 
would  become  slaves,  financially,  purchased  by 
capital  with  the  money  contributed  by  them. 
Thus  such  purchases  would  not  be  at  the  expense 
of  capital,  but  at  the  expense  of  those  financially 
enslaved,  and  how  could  they  help  themselves? 
It  would  be  far  better  for  them  to  put  their 
money  in  homes,  and  after  such  are  secured, 
then  invest  in  other  property  secure  for  them, 
but  let  alone  all  paper  called  stock,  representing 
a  value,  but  not  real,  and  which  can  be  easily 
influenced  to  benefit  capital. 

When  we  study  the  properties  under  consider- 
ation, justly,  regardless  of  improper  grants  and 
privileges  to  capital,  we  will  through  this 
study  learn  the  great  needs  of  the  people,  and 
further,  that  the  present  deplorable  financial 
conditions,  are  not  due  wholly  to  needed  legisla- 
tion on  any  one  subject;  but  it  embraces  several, 
and  with  proper  legislation  regarding  each, 
which,  acting  collectively,  will  bring  to  us  a  new 
era  of  success,  such  that  will  build  up  and  make 
strong  that  which  has  been  partially  destroyed 
through  existing  laws  and  abuses  of  law.  The 
causes  are  not  wholly  foreign,  nor  wholly  inter- 
nal, but  belong  to  both,  and  it  will  require  legis- 


134  GOVERNMENT  OWNERSHIP 

lation  on  each  of  the  great  questions  that  so 
vitally  affect  us,  to  right  the  greatest  existing 
evils. 

Proper  tariff  laws  will  help  in  its  way  to 
right  the  wrongs,  as  will  legislation  on  immigra- 
tion help  to  right  the  evils  existing  in  that  line; 
and  just  the  same  with  each  and  every  question; 
each  must  receive  due  attention  from  legislative 
bodies,  so  that  the  people  may  be  placed  on  an 
equal  basis,  secure  against  the  great  evils  that 
now  deprive  them  of  the  advantages  due. 

The  people  should  have  an  opportunity  to 
place  their  money  in  a  perfectly  secure  place  for 
them,  which  can  be  made  so  by  establishing  a 
government  banking  system,  and  they  should 
receive  from  the  government  the  proportionate 
rate  of  interest,  just  with  the  same  degree  of  se- 
curity that  is  now  given  to  great  capitalists  for 
the  use  of  their  money;  this  in  connection  with 
the  purchase  of  the  properties  herein  named 
would  certainly  make  times  more  prosperous. 

When  small  capital  for  investment  is  recog- 
nized by  the  government  from  the  great  mass  of 
people,  instead  of  only  the  immense  fortunes  from 
the  few,  then  this,  in  connection  with  the  adjust- 
ment of  affairs  in  other  important  questions,  will 
place  the  people  in  much  better  circumstances. 

Our  best  success  and  only  true  success  de- 
pends upon  bettering  the  conditions  of  the  great 
mass  of  people.  When  we  are  able  to  relieve  the 


GOVERNMENT  OWNERSHIP  135 

great  distress  by  means  of  giving  employment, 
good  and  substantial,  instead  of  partially  and 
only  temporarily  doing  so  by  the  degrading 
method  of  charity,  then  we  will  have  achieved  a 
much  more  desired  state  of  affairs  than  now 
exists. 

As  to  government  ownership  of  the  railroads, 
•is  it  not  easily  understood  that  through  this 
system  with  proper  rates  established,  such  that 
would  bear  the  running  expenses  in  full,  the 
living  expenses  of  the  people  would  be  greatly 
reduced?  For  is  not  the  cost  of  shipping  added 
to  the  cost  of  production  to  get  the  selling  price  of 
an  article?  Would  not  this  be  a  great  advantage 
and  a  blessing  to  the  people  to  be  relieved  from 
paying  exhorbitant  rates  as  demanded  by  capital, 
when  it  is  only  to  benefit  capital? 

Do  not  we  see  that  when  the  cost  of  an  arti- 
cle is  so  great  to  us,  due  to  exorbitant  cost  of 
shipping,  we  are  required  to  furnish  this  excess 
simply  to  satisfy  capital  in  matters  of  property 
which,  rightfully,  should  belong  to  the  people? 

Do  we  not  see  also  that  this  affects  all  the 
people,  as  all  are  required  to  pay  so  much  in 
excess  of  the  actual  cost  of  an  article  for  the  one 
reason  only,  that  is,  to  gratify  capital? 

Would  not  such  a  change  in  these  systems  of 
business  greatly  benefit  both  the  producer  and 
consumer,  and  there  would  be  a  much  increased 
exchange  of  commodities,  as  goods  could  then  be 


136  GOVERNMENT  OWNERSHIP 

shipped  that  cannot  now  with  profit  on  ac- 
count of  the  high  rates  established  on  freights? 

It  would  not  lessen  the  profits  to  the  producer 
to  have  such  a  change,  but  it  would  lessen  the 
cost  to  the  consumer,  as  the  cost  of  shipping  has 
nothing  to  do  with  the  cost  of  production,  but  it 
is  added  to  the  cost  of  production  to  get  the  sell- 
ing price  to  the  consumer. 

Cannot  we  see  that  through  this  system  the 
products  of  the  farm  would  reach  the  great  mar- 
kets, and  besides  would  have  a  much  greater 
range  in  the  markets  of  our  country,  and  at 
much  nearer  the  actual  cost  of  production  than 
we  now  have  them?  Would  not  the  farmer  be 
benefitted  also  in  purchasing  supplies  from  the 
markets,  such  that  he  cannot  produce,  but  which 
are  needed  on  the  farm? 

The  farmer  cannot  travel  as  he  would  like, 
because  the  rates  are  so  high  they  will  not  per- 
mit of  travel  further  than  to  transact  the  neces- 
sary business  peculiar  to  his  interests. 

And  again,  what  is  true  in  regard  to  the 
disadvantages  experienced  by  the  farmer,  is 
it  not  true  in  regard  to  people  in  every  calling 
in  life?  Would  not  the  products  of  the  mill, 
the  factory,  as  well  as  the  products  from 
every  other  source,  reach  the  people  generally 
much  cheaper  if  only  such  rates  could  be  es- 
tablished that  will  bear  the  actual  cost  of  ship- 
ping, leaving  off  the  great  salaries  and  pro- 


GOVERNMENT  OWNERSHIP  137 

fits  to  capital  that  must  be  collected  from  such 
sources? 

Then  do  we  not  learn  that  a  great  part  of  the 
actual  cost  of  living  is  due  to  exorbitant  freight 
charges  and  paid  to  railroads  for  shipping?  Is 
this  not  worth  considering  for  the  good  of  the 
seventy  or  more  millions  of  people  whom  it 
would  benefit  under  the  new  system? 

Does  it  not  appear  that  this  is  certainly  one 
of  the  properties  in  which  capital  is  invested  that 
does  much  harm  to  the  people  in  order  to  multi- 
ply the  many  millions  of  dollars  now  in  the 
hands  of  the  few?  Should  not  such  injustices 
be  remedied  by  actual  purchases  of  each  of  the 
properties  named  by  the  government? 

If,  in  the  event  of  such  purchases,  this  same 
capital  to  a  great  extent  is  used  by  the  govern- 
ment through  its  banking  system,  then  there  will 
be  paid  to  such  capital  only  the  proper  interest 
due,  and  the  great  profits  now  made  will  be  cut 
off  from  capital  and  saved  to  the  people. 

We  all  know  how  perfectly  the  postal  system 
is  conducted  and  the  great  benefits  derived  from 
this  system,  and  the  safety  in  which  the  whole 
business  is  conducted  for  the  people  by  the  gov- 
ernment; and  this  fully  under  government  con- 
trol, which  accounts  for  all  the  advantages 
gained. 

Could  there  be  found  anyone  now  who  would 
want  the  postal  system  placed  in  the  hands  of 


138  GOVERNMENT  OWNERSHIP 

individual  capital?  It  is  not  believed  that  even 
one  single  capitalist  would  agree  to  such  a  change. 

But  if  there  should  be  one  found  who  desires 
such  a  change  it  simply  demonstrates  to  the 
people  that  the  greed  and  unscrupulousness  of 
capital  is  so  great  in  some  ways,  through  the 
people  controlling  it  as  to  overthrow  in  the  minds 
and  consciences  of  such  beings  all  just  and  true 
principles  relating  to  the  well  being  of  humanity; 
this  at  the  expense  of  the  people  to  satisfy  the 
avaricious  few. 

Are  not  the  four  great  properties,  postal,  rail- 
roads, telegraph  and  express,  analagous,  when 
comparisons  are  made  as  to  the  benefits  to  be 
derived  from  them,  and  the  needs  of  such  sys- 
tems for  the  welfare  of  the  people? 

If  the  one,  the  postal  system,  is  now  con- 
ducted so  advantageously  by  the  government  for 
the  people  and  so  mu  3h  good  derived  from  this 
one  business,  why,  then,  should  not  the  same  or 
greater  benefits  be  derived  from  the  government 
ownership  and  control  of  the  other  three  prop- 
erties? 

Just  think  of  the  great  amount  of  capital  in- 
vested in  such  properties  for  the  benefit  finan- 
cially of  a  very  few  very  wealthy  people,  as  com- 
pared to  the  great  mass  of  people,  who  should 
have  an  equal  opportunity  to  invest  and  receive 
an  equal  or  proportionate  benefit  on  their  money 
invested  in  these  great  properties. 


GOVERNMENT  OWNERSHIP  139 

But  the  people  have  not  money  so  invested, 
for  the  reason  there  has  not  been  any  way  pro- 
vided by  the  government  which  recognizes  the 
people's  savings  in  connection  with  the  use  of 
great  capital  in  purchasing  properties  of  this 
class. 

It  should  be  remembered  that  these  properties 
by  all  means  honorable  and  just  ought  to  be 
owned  and  controlled  for  the  people's  benefit, 
that  individual  great  capital  should  be  required 
to  come  under  the  same  rulings  as  the  people's 
small  capital,  when  invested  in  such  enterprises. 

Then  individual  great  capital  will  not  re- 
ceive any  greater  proportionate  benefits  than  in- 
dividual small  capital,  but  they  will  be  paid, 
each,  that  which  is  justly  due  them  and  nothing 
more. 

Through  this  system  all  extortionate  charges 
and  extravagant  uses  of  capital  will  be  done 
awav  with  in  the  lines  of  business  herein  consid- 

V 

ered,  then  they  will   be  conducted  by  the  people 
for  the  interests  of  the  people. 

Through  the  establishment  of  a  government 
banking  system  the  people's  money  in  connection 
with  greater  capital  used  in  purchasing  these 
great  properties  would  greatly  encourage  the 
people  to  save  much  money  which  now  is 
wrongly  spent  as  a  source  of  pleasure  and  enjoy- 
ment, that  during  brighter  and  better  times 
would  be  seen  in  its  true  light,  when  before  fail- 


140  GOVERNMENT  OWNERSHIP 

ures  and  discouragements  partially  blinded  the 
moral  senses  which  prosperity,  naturally,  through 
a  feeling  of  pride  would  restore. 

The  purchase  of  these  properties  for  the  peo- 
ple would  virtually  take  from  the  multi-million- 
aire the  chances  in  these  lines  to  increase  such 
fortunes  at  the  expense  of  the  people.  To  this 
there  is  no  doubt  there  would  be  much  objection 
by  such  multi-millionaires,  who  through  such  a 
change  would  lose  excellent  positions,  but  at  the 
same  time  the  great  mass  of  people  would  gain 
theirs,  or,  in  other  words,  each  would  be  put 
on  a  more  equal  basis,  financially,  in  business 
ways. 

There  is  no  doubt  but  that  millions  of  dollars 
would  be  used  in  trying  to  defeat  justice  in  this 
cause,  but  it  will  be  necessary  for  the  people  to 
choose  properly  the  people  to  represent  them  at 
such  times  that  legislative  action  is  taken  affect- 
ing such  changes. 

It  is  proper  to  legislate  for  the  interests  of  the 
many  and  not  for  the  interests  of  the  few;  and  by 
legislating  for  the  many,  would  legislate  for  all, 
for  among  the  many  would  be  included  the  few; 
the  only  difference  with  the  few,  they  would  be 
placed  exactly  upon  the  same  footing  as  the 
many;  but,  not  advantageously  ahead  of  the 
many  in  financial  ways  for  their  own  special 
benefit.  Even  if  they  should  be  placed  upon  such 
an  equal  footing  with  the  great  mass  of  people, 


GOVERNMENT  OWNERSHIP  141 

they  would  not  be   deprived  of   one  single   act  of 
justice  due  them. 

This  isnomonarchial  form  of  government,  but 
republican  in  every  respect;  and  we  should  not 
recognize  any  acts  toward  legislation,  that  will 
deprive  the  people  of  their  just  rights.  By  the 
ballot  and  through  the  proper  use  of  the  ballot 
we  can  accomplish  much.  The  people  should  be 
educated  to  know  fully  its  power  when  properly 
used.  At  the  present  time  there  is  too  little  value 
placed  upon  the  real  power  of  the  ballot  by  many 
people.  They  do  not  consider  fully  the  good  re- 
sults that  can  be  obtained  through  the  judicious 
and  thoughtful  selection  of  the  proper  ballot  to 
be  cast  upholding  law,  order  and  good  govern- 
ment; and  through  such  judicious  and  thoughtful 
selection  at  all  times,  we  will  be  able  to  perpetu- 
ate the  good  results  obtained. 

We,  as  the  American  people,  should  be  in  a 
position  to  agree  upon  legislation  that  will  bene- 
fit us  as  a  people.  There  is  no  other  nation  or 
power  that  has  any  word  in  such  matters,  either 
for  or  against  us;  and,  if  there  should  be  any 
among  us,  who  are  in  sympathy  with  the 
methods  of  government  of  any  foreign  nation  to 
such  an  extent,  as  to  legislate  in  favor  of  others, 
they  should  be  considered  enemies  of  our  institu- 
tions, as  well  as  enemies  to  everything  sacred,  re- 
lating to  American  interests. 

It  should  be  remembered  that  this  is  a  repub- 


142  GOVERNMENT  OWNERSHIP 

lican  form  of  government,  one  in  which  the  peo- 
ple make  laws  for  themselves;  and,  it  is  entirely 
different  from  a  monarchial  form  of  government, 
where  a  self-chosen  few  make  laws  for  the  people 
to  obey. 

Under  a  monarchial  form  of  government,  the 
people  have  not  a  choice  in  the  matter,  but  must 
of  necessity  be  under  aristocratic  rule,  whether  it 
suits  them  or  not. 

In  our  country,  if  the  people  fail  to  make 
proper  choice  at  any  election,  and  the  adminis- 
tration following  does  not  suit  them,  they  will 
reverse  their  former  decision  at  the  following  elec- 
tion; so  that,  a  government,  for  the  people,  is 
quite  different  from  a  government  by  a  self- 
chosen  few,  known  as  aristocracy,  to  govern  the 
people. 

Is  it  any  credit  to  a  people  or  nation  to  have 
within  its  borders  a  few  people  possessing  im- 
mense fortunes,  and  as  a  result,  have  a  great 
many  poverty-stricken  people?  Is  it  not  much 
more  of  a  credit  to  have  no  immense  fortunes  and 
no  paupers,  but  instead,  a  thriving  and  well-to- 
do  people,  whose  combined  wealth  equals,  if  not 
exceeds,  the  combined  wealth  of  the  few?  And, 
this  condition  of  affairs  without  the  extreme  suf- 
fering of  the  many,  due  to  such  massed  fortunes? 

A  country  or  its  people  possess  only  so  much 
wealth;  and,  when  this  wealth  is  collected  by  the 
few  into  immense  fortunes,  the  people,  generally, 


GOVERNMENT  OWNERSHIP  143 

must  suffer  on  account  of  it.  It  is  then  we  hear 
of  great  poverty  throughout  the  land;  and  dur- 
ing the  most  unfavorable  seasons  of  the  year  to 
destitute  people,  charity  does  its  work  trying  to 
relieve  the  distress,  caused  by  the  most  unfavor- 
able circumstances  under  which  they  have  been 
placed,  through  the  great  need  or  the  common 
comforts  of  life. 

But,  at  the  same  time,  the  immense  fortunes 
are  growing  larger,  and  the  people  growing 
poorer.  Charity  is  taxed  to  its  utmost  to  clothe 
and  feed  the  destitute.  Long  lines  of  people  may 
be  seen  awaiting  their  chances  to  get  something 
to  eat  at  what  may  be  commonly  known  as  free 
soup  houses;  and,  cast-off  clothing  received  by 
them  in  equally  as  humiliating  circumstances. 

Is  this  not  degrading  to  a  people  to  be  re- 
quired to  become  subjects  of  charity  in  this  way? 
This  too  amidst  plenty?  Are  these  not  subjects 
or  slaves  of  capital?  Is  it  not  time  we  are  giv- 
ing this  subject  proper  attention  so  as  to  better 
the  conditions  of  the  people? 

Every  civilized  nation  has  enough  wealth  Lo 
keep  well  its  people,  if  only  it  was  properly  used. 
But  through  improper  legislation,  or  form  of  gov- 
ernment, the  wealth  gradually  but  surely  falls 
into  the  hands  of  a  few.  Such  fortunes  gradually 
increasing,  while  with  equal  rapidity  the  suffer- 
ing among  the  great  mass  of  people  increases. 

Let  the   people  of  other   nations  do  as  they 


144  GOVERNMENT  OWNERSHIP 

wish,  but  let  us  as  an  American  people  set  a 
proper  example  by  making  right  such  evils, 
through  proper  legislation,  so  that  the  people  of 
other  nations  will  see  the  great  benefits  derived 
from  just  laws,  and  require  better  treatment  from 
their  governments  to  better  their  conditions. 

Has  it  not  been  noticed  many  times  that 
through  the  greed  and  selfish  desires  to  gain, 
one  person  through  unjust  acts  would  deprive  a 
whole  household  of  the  needed  necessities  of  life, 
but,  at  the  same  time  he  would  be  condemned 
by  the  people  generally?  But  to  no  avail  as  to 
the  good  results  secured,  as  the  act  would  be 
based  upon  protection  of  self  interests,  -when  in 
reality  such  interests  were  not  endangered;  but 
it  was  done  purely  to  satisfy  the  avaricious  de- 
sire to  take  advantage  of  one  in  an  unfortunate 
hour  for  personal  gain — one  who  could  not  help 
his  condition,  but  who,  if  kindly  assisted,  would 
have  been  able  in  time  to  have  kept  all  he  had 
lost;  and  besides,  the  creditor  would  have  re- 
ceived every  dollar  due  him. 

But  that  would  not  satisfy  the  avari- 
cious feeling  within  the  inhuman  breast  of  one 
whose  moral  duty  would  have  been  to  be  a  little 
lenient  in  his  dealings  with  the  unfortunate, 
when  it  may  have  been,  perhaps,  a  mortgage 
foreclosed  on  property,  which  was  two  or  three 
times  the  value  of  the  amount  of  the  indebted- 
ness, that  took  all  unjustly  to  satisfy  the  avar- 


GOVERNMENT  OWNERSHIP  145 

iciousness  of  such  a  being;  and  this  may  have 
been  justifiable  under  the  common  law  of  his 
country,  but  under  the  moral  law  he  would  be 
everlastingly  condemned.  Such  are  the  dif- 
ferences in  men;  one  would  be  controlled  wholly 
by  the  common  law  while  another  mostly,  or  it 
may  be  wholly,  by  the  moral  law. 

It  is  this  all  grabbing  spirit  that  exists  in  a 
few  which  deprives  the  great  mass  of  people  of 
the  common  necessities  of  life  to  a  great  extent. 
In  this  spirit  is  a  conceded  propriety  regarding 
business  transactions,  which  to  others  is  simply 
horrid,  as  its  tendencies  are  toward  every  un- 
principled act  named  in  the  category  of  crimes, 
relating  to  financial  or  business  methods. 

During  the  presidential  campaign  just  passed 
we  were  told  by  one  of  the  political  parties  that 
we  needed  more  money;  that  this  was  the  great 
cause  of  the  distress  among  the  people.  Now  let 
us  look  at  this  subject  carefully  regarding  the 
purchasing  of  raihoads,  telegraph  and  express 
lines  by  the  government.  Let  us  view  this  in  its 
true  light,  regarding  true  interests  to  every  Amer- 
ican citizen,  and  let  us  see  if  we  cannot  learn 
from  this  chapter,  as  we  have  from  others,  that 
it  is  not  more  money,  nor  money  of  a  different 
kind,  that  we  need,  but  a  proper  disposition  of 
that  which  we  have,  so  it  will  truly  benefit  the 
people. 

The  properties  named   transact  an  immense 


146  GOVERNMENT  OWNERSHIP 

amount  of  business  and  collect  each  year  many 
millions  of  dollars  from  passenger,  freight,  mes- 
sage and  express  rates.  The  rates  charged  are 
much  in  excess  of  actual  necessary  expenses, 
made  so  to  benefit  capital,  while  the  government 
expenses  under  such  circumstances  would  not  be 
anything  like  as  great  as  the  expenses  of  capital 
for  reasons  it  is  wished  to  herein  name  in  part 
as  follows: 

From  the  millions  of  dollars  collected  yearly 
is  used  what  is  necessary  to  defray  the  expenses  of 
such  institutions,  justly,  no  doubt,  as  far  as  the 
wear  and  tear  of  these  properties  are  concerned; 
and  as  far  as  paying  labor  is  also  concerned; 
although  labor  may  be  poorly  paid,  but  the  past 
set  aside  for  this  expense  is  just  and  proper  as 
far  as  uses  of  money  by  capital  is  to  be  consid- 
ered. 

But  when  it  comes  to  paying  the  presidents 
and  chief  officers  of  such  institutions,  do  you 
suppose  that  as  economical  views  are  entertained 
in  paying  them  as  is  entertained  when  paying 
labor?  Not  by  any  means,  for  capital  must  be 
well  paid  and  the  immense  salaries  received  by 
such  officers  is  one  of  the  ways  instituted  to  pay 
capital. 

If  these  properties  were  in  the  hands  of  the 
government,  only  fair  but  good  living  salaries 
would  be  paid  to  officers  in  charge  of  such  insti- 
tutions; also  there  would  be  but  one  chief  officer 


GOVERNMENT  OWNERSHIP  147 

in  charge  of  each  of  such  institutions,  when  now 
there  are  many. 

The  question  would  be  asked,  what  would  be- 
come of  this  money  if  such  a  change  were  made, 
and  so  much  saved  in  salaries  alone?  The 
answer  would  be,  this  excess  would  not  be  col- 
lected from  the  people  in  the  way  of  passenger 
fares,  freights,  express  and  telegram  rates,  as 
now  collected,  for  the  reason  the  government 
would  not  need  so  much  money  and  it  would  re- 
main with  the  people;  only  that  part  would  be 
collected  that  would  be  required  to  carry  on  the 
actual  necessary  expenses  of  such  institutions. 

We  so  far  have  considered  only  the  savings  in 
salaries  under  government  control  of  these  great 
properties,  but  there  are  other  expenses  required 
by  capital  that  are  well  worth  considering. 

After  paying  the  just  and  legitimate  expenses 
of  these  institutions,  and  the  high-salaried  of- 
ficers, there  are  attorneys,  numerous  indeed,  who 
also  must  be  well  paid;  as  they  are  very 
necessary  adjuncts  to  institutions  of  the  kind,  to 
fight  the  numerous  suits  which  such  institutions 
fall  heir  to;  as  a  thorough  investigation  of 
affairs  relating  to  these  institutions  may  lead 
one  to  believe  they  are  run  under  the  common 
instead  of  the  moral  law,  even  when  the  com- 
mon law  may  have  been  enacted  for  their  es- 
pecial benefit. 

It  requires  much  money  to  pay  legal   talent, 


148  GOVERNMENT  OWNERSHIP 

as  the  importance  of  the  cases  involved  demands 
the  employment  of  the  best  talent  of  the  kind 
that  can  be  procured;  as  the  moral  positions  of 
such  great  corporations  are  not  the  best,  it  will 
not  do  to  entrust  such  important  matters  to 
other  than  the  best  legal  talent. 

The  collection  of  this  vast  sum  of  money  to 
defray  this  expense  would  be  wholly  superfluous 
under  the  government  system;  as  the  law  de- 
partment now  established  by  the  government 
would  attend  to  all  necessary  legal  matters  which 
might  arise  and  which  would  necessarily  be 
very  small;  for  the  reason  that  under  the  gov- 
ernment system  a  proper  control  of  such  affairs 
would  be  inaugurated  for  the  interests  of  the  peo- 
ple, which  would  deprive  this  great  legal  talent 
of  its  present  needed  services. 

Therefore,  the  amount  of  money  now  collected 
to  bear  the  expense  of  the  legal  fraternity,  would 
not  be  needed  and  would  not  be  collected  from 
the  people;  this  would  be  another  item  of  expense 
saved. 

Can  it  be  possible,  that  much  money  is  used 
by  such  institutions  to  control  legislative  schemes 
for  the  benefit  of  capital  invested  in  these  insti- 
tutions? If  so,  this  also  would  be  superfluous; 
as  the  people  under  the  new  system  would  fur- 
nish the  capital  or  institute  means  by  which  cap- 
ital would  be  furnished  to  conduct  the  business 
in  each  line,  through  the  representatives,  selected 


GOVERNMENT  OWNERSHIP  149 

from  among  themselves  to  transact  the  different 
kinds  of  business  for  them. 

Therefore,  the  amount  of  money  used  for  such 

•/ 

a  purpose  would  not  be  collected  from  the  people, 
which  would  be  another  item  of  expense  saved. 

There  is  another  important  feature  that 
should  receive  attention,  which  is  this:  It  is 
the  privileges  the  chief  officers  take  for  their  especial 
comfort;  and  which  may  be  at  times,  extended 
to  men  of  considerable  political  influence; 
it  is  rather  expensive  to  the  people,  and  it  is  be- 
yond business  propriety  to  extend  such  privi- 
leges to  those  politically  who  may  thus  be  un- 
duly influenced  in  legislative  matters  relating  to 
such  properties. 

What  is  meant  by  this  is  the  use  of  private 
palace  car  accommodation  by  these  people.  It 
is  a  great  expense  to  run  and  keep  fully  equipped 
such  cars,  and  this  expense  must  be  borne  by 
some  one,  and  who  can  it  be  other  than  the  trav- 
eling public,  who  is  required  to  pay  such  ex- 
penses in  fares  collected. 

These  parties  may  claim  they  bear  the  ex- 
penses of  such  cars  personally,  and  that  they 
cost  the  traveling  public  nothing,  but  such  a 
claim  would  show  at  once  that  if  they  do  pay 
such  expenses  they  are  receiving  such  immense 
salaries,  and  it  may  be  in  connection  with  this 
such  immense  profits  on  stock,  that  makes  it 
possible  for  them  to  pay  such  expenses,  and 


150  GOVERNMENT  OWNERSHIP 

whether  it  is  paid  in  this  way  or  that  way,  the 
money  must  come  from  the  people. 

Think  of  a  farmer  or  merchant  traveling  in  such 
cars  to  transact  business  relating  to  affairs  pecu- 
liar to  their  interests.  How  could  they  bear 
such  expenses  unless  they  also  had  a  way  of 
collecting  money  from  the  people  to  pay  for  such 
luxuries. 

Under  government  control  all  inspections  and 
other  necessary  duties  requiring  tours  of  the 
kind  to  be  made  would  be  in  a  man- 
ner just  the  same  as  that  of  any  first  class  pas- 
senger, representing  any  reputable  business  house, 
and,  in  fact,  there  would  be  restrictions  upon 
such  officers  in  regard  to  making  up  expense 
accounts  that  would  be  permissible  in  the  repre- 
sentative of  the  business  house,  making  up  his 
account. 

The  result  would  be  the  special  private  car 
arrangements  would  not  be  needed  by  the  gov- 
ernment, and  the  great  expense  incurred  by  run- 
ning such  cars  would  not  be  collected  from  the 
people,  therefore,  another  great  saving  to  the 
people. 

It  is  reasonable  to  suppose  the  government 
would,  under  the  new  order  of  affairs,  furnish 
special  car  arrangements  to  any  who  would  wish 
to  use  such;  but  they  would  be  required  to  pay 
in  full  the  cost  of  such  accommodations.  It  is 
believed  though,  there  would  not  be  many  special 


GOVERNMENT  OWNERSHIP  151 

cars  needed  to  supply  the  demand  when  such 
privileges  are  at  the  personal  expense  of  the  par- 
ties using  them. 

By  this  time  we  have  arrived  at  a  point  in 
the  proceedings  regarding  expenses  that  is  of 
much  interest  to  the  stockholders  only,  or  at 
least  mostly,  as  it  is  supposed  that  all  other  in- 
terests have  been  looked  after  and  cared  for.  Now 
this  stock  is  rather  a  peculiar  property;  as  it  is, 
though  this,  intended  to  represent  the  value  of 
such  properties,  but  instead,  it  may  represent  the 
value,  many  times,  of  the  properties  in  question, 
as  this  stock  is,  most  likely,  well  watered. 

But,  the  earnings  of  capital  are  based  upon 
the  whole  issue  and  full  face  value,  which 
when  made  out,  presents  quite  a  respectable 
showing,  as  to  the  rate  of  dividend  to  be  declared ; 
when  in  reality  the  rate  would  be  immense, 
considering  the  true  amount  of  money  invested; 
but  then  this  is  a  very  good  way  to  deceive  the 
people,  when  capital  wishes  to  reward  itself  well. 

Suppose  the  issue  of  any  stock  had  been  sold 
for  one-fourth  of  its  face  value,  the  dividend  de- 
clared would  be  on  the  full  face  value  of 
the  stock  and  not  the  one-fourth  value  as  was 
paid  for  it.  Does  it  not  appear  at  once  in  such  a 
case  that  the  stockholders  would  be  getting  four 
times  the  amount  of  interest  on  the  amount  ac- 
tually invested,  instead  of  the  rate  represented  by 
the  dividend  declared? 


152  GOVERNMENT  OWNERSHIP 

It  may  be  asked,  who  are  the  stockholders? 
Upon  examining  the  stock  list  there  will  be  found 
the  names  of  most,  if  not  all,  the  high  salaried 
officers,  and  others  who  may  be  still  greater  cap- 
italists who  control  to  a  certainty  the  entire  stock 
of  such  concerns;  or,  in  reality,  own  the  greater 
part  of  such  stock.  But  down  the  list  of  names 
may  be  found  the  names  of  others  who  may  be 
in  very  moderate  circumstances  indeed;  and  who 
have  been  attracted  to  the  stock  market  by  the 
rumored  great  profits,  having  invested  all  they 
have;  and  which  may  prove,  as  most  frequently 
does  in  such  cases,  an  investment  to  their  sor- 
row, when  during  some  later  period  their  stock 
depreciates  in  value,  being  the  result  of  scheming 
capital  to  better  itself;  but  at  all  times  such 
transactions  are  to  the  disadvantage  and  loss  of 
the  people  who  are  considered  on  the  outside, 
drawn  into  such  investments  through  schemes 
beneficial  to  capital. 

The  amounts  received  as  dividends  by  the  offi- 
cers on  their  stocks  in  connection  with  the 
salaries  paid  to  them  makes  a  small  fortune  to 
each  individual. 

Now  what  would  become  of  this  if  such  insti- 
tutions were  fully  under  government  control? 
Well,  let  us  see.  In  the  first  place  there  would 
be  no  watered  stock  on  which  to  calculate  inter- 
est. The  capital  would  be  furnished  by  the  peo- 
ple,through  a  government  banking  system.  This 


GOVERNMENT  OWNERSHIP  153 

capital  may  include  in  a  great  part  capital  now 
invested  in  these  properties,  but  they  must  all 
come  under  the  same  system,  whether  this  capi- 
tal is  lage  or  small,  and  receive  equal  and  just 
benefits  only. 

This  capital  would  be  in  the  form  of  deposits, 
and  it  is  reasonable  to  suppose  would  bear  low 
rate  of  interest  and  free  from  tax.  This  interest 
must  be  paid,  but  it  is  actual,  and  would  go  to 
the  people  direct,  to  millions  of  people.  This  in- 
terest would  be  credited  to  the  numerous  bank 
accounts  as  earnings  on  the  money  deposited, 
being  an  amount  representing  the  rate  calculated 
on  all  deposits,  whether  large  or  small,  each  re- 
ceiving an  equal  proportion  on  the  amounts  so 
deposited. 

Outside  of  this  amount  required  to  pay  the 
interest  on  deposits  the  government  would  not 
need,  therefore  it  would  be  superfluous  and  it 
would  not  be  collected  from  the  people  in  the  way 
of  passenger,  freight,  telegraph  and  express  rates. 

Is  this  not  the  true  way  to  help  the  people, 
instead  of  letting  capital  charge  them  so  un- 
mercifully, and  through  such  constant  drain  of 
money  from  the  people  to  capital,  that  in  time 
will  reduce  the  great  mass  of  people  to  such  an 
extent  financially,  as  to  almost  occupy  positions 
of  paupers?  And  then,  under  such  conditions, 
we  try  through  the  acts  of  charity  to  make  right 
that  which  legislation  only  can  do. 


154  GOVERNMENT  OWNERSHIP 

Do  we  not  learn  that  even  in  this  line  it  is  not 
more  money  that  is  needed,  but  proper  legisla- 
tion to  benefit  the  seventy  or  more  millions  of 
people,  instead  of  the  few  who  possess  immense 
individual  capital? 

The  drain  of  wealth  is  from  the  people  to 
benefit  capital  in  just  the  same  way  that  in  free 
trade  the  drain  of  the  money  is  from  this  coun- 
try to  foreign  countries  to  pay  foreign  labor; 
when  labor  in  our  country  is  idle  and  needs  only 
proper  legislation  to  give  employment  so  that  the 
money  paid  for  labor  will  remain  with  us;  and 
just  so  it  is  with  the  immense  capital  invested  in 
our  country  in  properties  that  rightfully  should 
belong  to  the  people  for  investment  of  their 
money  in  connection  with  this  great  capital;  all 
should  be  used  through  one  common  system, 
deriving  therefrom  proportionate  and  just  bene- 
fits only,  thus  leaving  off  all  unjust  and  unreason, 
able  profits,  expected  by  capital,  when  individu- 
ally invested  in  these  properties. 

The  people's  capital  though  does  not  secure 
such  favorable  investment  and  security,  but  at 
the  same  time  there  is  collected  from  them 
great  sums  of  money,  many  millions  of  dol- 
lars, to  bear  the  enormous  expense  of  selfish 
and  unprincipled  capital.  If  such  invest- 
ments are  good  for  capital  on  a  large 
scale,  why  should  it  not  be  just  as  good  for  the 
people  on  a  small  scale;  and  especially  so  when 


GOVERNMENT  OWNERSHIP  155 

invested  in  such  properties  that  so  directly  in- 
terest them,  and  which  affects  so  greatly  their 
welfare? 

By  government  purchase  of  the  properties  in 
question  would  greatly  lessen  the  possibilities  of 
multi  millions  being  created,  and  where  these 
chances  are  lessened  the  peoples  chances  for  suc- 
cess are  just  so  much  increased. 

Should  not  the  millions  collected  from  the 
people  yearly  for  the  benefit  of  individual  great 
capital  remain  with  the  people  to  benefit  them? 
Does  not  the  proposition  to  purchase  the  great 
properties  named,  viewed  from  any  point,  simply 
increase  and  multiply  the  possibilities  favoring 
such  purchases? 

Also,  government  ownership  and  control  of 
the  properties  would  put  a  stop  to  the  great  rail- 
road and  telegraphers'  strikes  that  now  so  fre- 
frequently  take  place.  There  would  not  be  any 
individual  great  capital  to  contend  with,  as  the 
people  would  own  such  properties  in  full,  and  af- 
fairs relating  to  such  matters  would  be  fully 
under  government  control.  If  any  abuse  existed 
the  department  controlling  such  properties  would 
right  the  wrong. 

Would  this  not  be  a  much  better  state  of  af- 
fairs than  to  be  almost  continually  in  serious 
trouble  in  matters  relating  to  capital  and  labor, 
and  which  in  itself  would  be  the  means  of  sav- 
ing from  destruction  thousands  upon  thousands 


156  GOVERNMENT  OWNERSHIP 

of  dollars  of  property,  and  save  the  loss  of  life 
that  so  often  occurs  during  strikes. 

This  rightly  studied  will  certainly  present 
the  advantages  gained  by  such  proposed  pur- 
chases, and  it  should  meet  the  approval  of  the 
people  generally. 

The  question  might  be  asked,  in  what  way 
could  the  government  make  the  purchase  of 
these  great  properties  legal  and  do  justice  to  the 
people  as  well  as  to  those  whose  money  is  in- 
vested now  in  such  properties? 

Well,  let  us  suppose  the  government  takes 
the  same  course  in  this  matter  that  has  been 
taken  by  capital  to  get  these  properties. 

If  it  was  considered  just  and  legal  for  the 
one  it  certainly  should  be  so  considered  for  the 
other. 

In  the  first  place  a  great  amount  of  the  prop- 
erties held  by  these  corporations  were  grants  or 
gifts  from  the  government  as  well  as  from  the 
people. 

The  government  turned  over  to  such  compa- 
nies great  tracts  of  land  which  were  sold  for  the 
benefit  of  these  corporations. 

The  people  in  many  instances  gave  the  right 
of  way  through  their  properties,  while  in  many 
other  instances  direct  purchases  were  made,  and 
in  others,  where  such  rights  could  not  be  pur- 
chased at  prices  that  were  thought  reasonable  to 
these  corporations,  then  through  legal  processes 


GOVERNMENT  OWNERSHIP  157 

rights  would  be  secured  and  such  an  amount  was 
paid  for  the  privilege  as  was  named  as  proper. 

Remember,  though,  it  did  not  make  any  dif- 
ference as  to  the  course  such  a  road  would  take 
across  one's  property,  even  if  it  required  the 
moving  of  buildings  and  the  cutting  of  the  fields 
of  a  farm  into  illy  shaped  pieces,  the  right  of 
way  must  be  had  let  the  results  be  what  they 
would  to  the  individual  property  across  which 
they  passed. 

The  government  certainly  can  make  the  pur- 
chase for  the  people  at  proper  values  under  the 
same  or  like  rules,  but  not  at  values  indicated  by 
the  greatly  watered  stock  of  such  companies. 

This  matter  in  regard  to  purchase  is  clear 
enough,  or  if  not  under  the  present  laws,  it  can 
be  made  so  by  the  vote  of  the  people,  just  as  soon 
as  they  see  the  great  need  of  such  purchases  to 
right  the  wrongs  in  this  line,  and  will  act  in 
unison  to  have  such  legislation  enacted  that  will 
make  secure  these  great  properties  for  the  inter- 
ests of  all  the  people. 


MUNICIPAL  INTERESTS. 

Municipal  Ownership  of  all  Properties  Traversing 
or  Occupying  Municipal  Properties,  a  Pro- 
tection to  the  People  of  Municipalities 
Against  the  Wrongs  of  Capital 

We  have  learned  in  the  past  chapter  that  there 
are  certain  properties  which,  due  to  the  extensive 
business  carried  on  by  them,  and  the  great  inter- 
ests they  bear  to  the  people  of  our  country, 
should  belong  to  the  people,  and  be  controlled 
wholly  by  the  government  for  the  people. 

That  as  these  properties  are  to  benefit  the 
people  in  transacting  business  by  carrying  to  the 
different  markets  from  the  different  producers, 
the  products  of  our  country,  and  to  enable  both 
travel  and  traffic  to  be  managed  on  the  most 
economical  basis  possible,  it  is  only  proper  to 
consider  them  as  just  properties  for  the  people, 
instead  of  being  owned  and  controlled  by  capital 
for  the  interest  of  the  few,  against  the  interests  of 
the  millions  of  people  that  such  properties  should 
benefit. 

Such  questions  were  reviewed  in  a  general  way 
in  which  they  affected  the  people  as  a  nation. 

But,  in  this  chapter,  it  is  desired  to  take  up 

158 


MUNICIPAL  INTERESTS  159 

also  in  a  general  way  for  consideration  regarding 
the  propriety,  or  right  to  purchase  such  proper- 
ties, that  in  themselves  have  no  national  signifi- 
cance, but  which  are  purely  local  and  affect  the 
people  only  as  a  municipality. 

The  same  source  of  reasoning  though,  in  behalf 
of  questions  considered  national  as  regards  their 
importance  to  the  people,  is  applicable  in  affairs, 
it  is  desired  to  treat  as  municipal,  as  the 
results  to  the  people  of  a  municipality  in  such 
matters,  will  be  just  as  beneficial  to  them  as 
those  which  if  obtained  by  the  government  would 
be  to  the  people  in  matters  considered  national. 

If  the  purchase  of  properties,  such  as  should 
be  considered  national,  would  benefit  the  people 
of  the  whole  country  to  such  a  great  extent,  why 
then,  should  not  properties  which  should  just  as 
well  be  considered  municipal,  receive  the  same 
attention,  so  as  to  benefit  the  people  of  the  mu- 
nicipality? 

Upon  this  same  source  of  reasoning  it  is  de- 
sired to  show  that  capital  invested  in  the  differ- 
ent municipalities  in  business  that  occupies  the 
properties  of  such  municipalities,  in  order  to 
make  the  necessary  extensions  for  the  especial 
kinds  of  business  to  be  considered,  and  which 
are  intended  for  the  general  use  of  the  public, 
and  from  the  collections  from  the  public 
it  is  intended  to  keep  up  the  expenses  and 
furnish  the  great  profits  as  rewards  for  cap- 


160  MUNICIPAL  INTERESTS 

ital,  are  certainly  properties  that  rightly  be- 
long and  should  belong  to  the  people  of  such 
municipalities  for  the  sole  interests  of  the  people. 

Why,  it  may  be  asked,  should  such  a  change 
be  made?  Just  because  through  the  propriety 
and  righteous  nature  of  the  properties  considered 
they  rightfully  belong  to  all  the  people  for  the 
good  of  the  people,  and  should  not  belong 
to  only  a  few  capitalists  for  their  especial 
benefit,  financially,  at  the  expense  of  the  people. 
It  is  through  such  processes  that  capital  increases 
so  rapidly  and  the  people  become  poorer  on  ac- 
count of  it. 

If  it  is  profitable  for  capital  to  make  extensive 
use  of  any  municipal  property  for  its  own  benefit 
in  building  great  properties,  why  then  should  it 
not  be  just  as  profitable  for  the  people  to  build 
and  possess  such  properties,  which  would  be  upon 
their  own  property  to  benefit  themselves? 

Would  it  not  be  far  better  for  any  city  to  have 
the  profits  accruing  from  the  different  corpora- 
tions, such  as  water,  gas,  street  cars,  electric  light 
and  others,  which  might  be  included,  turned  into 
the  city  treasury  for  the  use  of  the  city  in  defray- 
ing expenses,  instead  of  going  to  the  pockets  of 
capital,  and  it  may  be  to  capital  located  far  from 
such  city?  Thus  not  only  losing  the  amount  of 
money  as  far  as  the  people's  interests  are  con- 
cerned, but  having  it  taken  from  such  city,  and 
lessening  the  money  interests  of  a  city? 


MUNICIPAL  INTERESTS  161 

It  is  possible  that  under  this  new  order  of 
affairs  that  the  same  capital  in  a  great  part, 
would  be  used  in  these  properties;  but  it  would 
be  under  municipal  control,  and  used  in  connec- 
tion with  capital  provided  by  the  people.  Thus 
each  would  receive  only  the  just  interest  due 
them.  Great  capital  would  be  deprived  of  the 
immense  salaries  and  immense  profits  that  it  now 
draws  from  the  people  and  which  is  at  their  ex- 
pense. 

By  this  or  through  this  method  it  would  es- 
tablish a  more  equal  state  of  affairs  financially. 

Under  the  present  system  the  people  are  be- 
coming merely  slaves  to  unscrupulous  capital;  as 
capital  lives  off  of  the  savings  of  labor  in  its  ex- 
cessive charges  above  those  just  and  reasonable, 
and  if  it  were  not  for  this,  or  the  patronage  of 
the  people  to  the  interests  of  capital,  how  could 
it  survive  any  more  successfully,  or  even  as  much 
so,  as  labor  by  itself? 

To  illustrate  this  more  clearly  and  forcibly, 
suppose  the  people  did  not  patronize  the  street 
railways  of  the  different  municipalities.  The 
cars  running  on  schedule  time  but  carrying  no 
passengers.  Would  capital  be  benefitted  by  its 
investments  in  such  railways  under  these  cir- 
cumstances? No,  not  in  the  least,  and  such  in- 
vestments would  of  necessity  be  of  very  great 
loss  to  capital. 

Is  it  not  clearly  to  be  seen  that  capital  lives 


162  MUNICIPAL  INTERESTS 

off  the  people?  And  the  excessive  charges  are 
collections  to  increase  capital?  Then,  if  such  in- 
vestments cost  the  people  so  much  and  makes 
them  poor,  so  as  to  increase  great  fortunes,  why 
should  not  capital  in  such  investments  be  under 
the  control  of  the  people,  and  derive  such  benefits 
only  that  is  due  and  just.  Then  it  would  be 
placed  on  a  par  with  capital  provided  by  the 
people,  each  receiving  only  that  which  is  just  in 
regard  to  such  investments. 

The  money  of  great  capitalists  is  not  any 
more  valuable  than  the  money  of  the  laborer,  as 
it  is  the  same  kind  exactly,  and  it  should  not  be 
permitted  any  advantage  over  the  laborer,  or 
money  invested  by  him,  as  if  it  were  more  val- 
uable. 

What  would  capital  amount  to,  any  way, 
without  labor  to  develop  it  in  the  different  pur- 
suits of  trade,  manufacturing,  and  other  lines 
of  business  in  which  it  is  invested?  And  again, 
what  would  labor  amount  to  without  capital  to 
assist  it?  What  would  the  immense  fortunes 
amount  to,  if  they  could  not  be  used  to  employ 
labor  and  receive  the  patronage  of  labor? 

Suppose  a  millionaire  with  all  his  wealth 
were  banished  to  some  uninhabited  island,  what 
good  would  his  silver  and  gold  be  to  him  under 
such  circumstances?  Would  he  not  necessarily 
become  a  laborer  himself,  to  till  the  soil  and  pro- 
duce food  upon  which  to  live?  And  would  he 


MUNICIPAL  INTERESTS  163 

not  be  put  to  thinking  in  regard  to  manufactur- 
ing clothing  to  wear?  His  gold  and  silver  under 
such  circumstances  would  not  be  worth  any  more 
than  so  much  rubbish  to  him. 

But  if  the  laborer  were  banished  to  such  a 
place,  would  he  not  be  the  most  wealthy  of  the 
two,  as  he  would  be  accustomed  to  work  and 
could  go  ahead  of  the  once  wealthy  man?  And 
as  his  brains  and  muscles  had  been  trained  to 
hard  work,  this  would  be  his  present  as  well  as 
his  former  capital. 

The  brains  of  the  former  capitalist  may  have 
been  trained  to  scheming,  which  will  not 
work  to  his  advantage  under  his  present  cir- 
cumstances, and  his  muscles  not  accustomed 
to  hard,  honest  toil,  therefore,  under  such  cir- 
cumstances, he  would  of  necessity  give  way  to  the 
once,  it  may  be,  unworthy  person  of  his  special 
notice. 

Are  not  each  though,  really  dependent  upon 
the  other?  But  is  there  not  too  little  value  placed 
upon  labor  by  capital?  Does  not  capital,  even 
at  this  very  day,  look  upon  laborers  more  as  its 
subjects  than  its  equal? 

Should  not  the  standard  of  labor  be  raised 
much  higher  than  it  is  at  the  present  time?  Is 
not  labor  an  equal  to  capital,  as  far  as  justice  is 
concerned,  and  much  more  than  its  equal  if  each 
is  left  entirely  alone  to  care  for  itself? 

A  capitalist  should  not,  through  his  schem- 


164  MUNICIPAL  INTERESTS 

ing,  be  permitted  to  take  advantage  of  the  people 
simply  because  he  has  money.  This  is  wrong, 
and  it  is  one  of  the  reasons  that  so  much  suffer- 
ing exists,  and  the  people  are  destitute  of  the 
common  comforts  of  life. 

There  is  entirely  too  much  license  given  cap- 
ital in  investments.  It  is  hoped  that  in  time 
protective  restrictions  will  be  placed  upon  ques- 
tionable investments  to  save  the  great  mass  of 
people  from  unscrupulous  methods  practiced, 
which  at  the  present  time  cause  great  suffering, 
and  which  will  increase  if  some  action  is  not 
taken  to  protect  the  people. 

This  can  be  righted  through  legislation,  and 
with  government  and  municipal  ownership  and 
control  of  all  properties  that  are  of  such  impor- 
tance to  the  people,  they  should  belong  to  them, 
will  greatly  help  to  establish  a  true  and  just 
order  of  affairs. 

As  to  the  harm  of  lesser  individual  great  cap- 
ital invested  in  other  branches  of  business,  a  co- 
operative system  fully  established,  would  most 
undoubtedly  be  the  means  of  helping  to  solve 
the  great  financial  troubles  between  capital  and 
labor  in  such  institutions. 

Capitalists  must  not  think  that  money  will 
rule  supreme  where  the  ballot  decides  these  great 
questions  for  us;  and  the  people  must  look  to  the 
ballot  as  their  only  means  of  protection  against 
the  outrageous  doings  of  capital. 


MUNICIPAL  INTERESTS  165 

Money  may  work  effectually  in  its  way  to  the 
interests  of  capital  under  aristocratic  forms  of 
government,  but  not  so  under  a  republican  gov- 
erment. 

Through  the  ballot,  we  as  a  people,  can  eradi- 
cate many  evils,  and  when  this  money  power 
becomes  so  unmerciful  as  to  cause  so  much  suf- 
fering, then  it  is  when  the  ballot  must  come  in 
to  right  the  wrong.  Without  the  ballot  to  de- 
cide such  matters  for  us,  we  would  be  helplessly 
inadequate  to  cope  with  the  injustices  of  capital. 
Now  as  to  municipal  affairs,  do  you  wish  to 
pay  the  present  rates  for  gas,  water,  street-car 
and  other  privileges  to  benefit  capital,  when  the 
profits  derived  from  such  sources,  if  turned  into 
a  common  treasury  for  the  benefit  of  the  people, 
would  greatly  reduce  your  taxes?  Would  it  not 
be  far  better  to  have  such  profits  used  to  help 
pay  taxes  than  to  be  be  used  to  benefit  capital 
and  thus  being  the  means  of  increasing  taxes? 

Did  you  ever  consider  that  under  municipal 
ownership  and  full  control  of  the  street  railways, 
the  street-car  fares  collected  would  do  their  part 
in  helping  to  pay  taxes?  That  it  would  not 
make  any  difference  from  whom  they  were  col- 
lected, whether  from  citizen  or  stranger,  they 
would  perform  their  part  in  reducing  the  taxes 
to  be  collected  from  the  people  to  defray  the  ex- 
penses of  the  city? 

The  same   principle   is  applicable  in  its  way 


166  MUNICIPAL  INTERESTS 

as  to  the  use  of  water,  gas  and  other  privileges, 
when  the  profits  accruing  from  such  sources  are 
turned  into  a  common  treasury  for  the  benefit  of 
all  the  people. 

The  profits  from  the  different  sources  would 
amount  to  much,  and  they  would  lessen  the  rate 
of  tax  to  a  wonderful  degree,  besides  establishing 
much  more  favorable  rates  in  such  properties  for 
the  people. 

It  would  be  a  boon  to  all  tax-payers  when 
the  day  arrives  to  pay  taxes,  to  learn  of  the 
great  reduction;  this  due  to  the  new  order  of  af- 
fairs relating  to  such  properties  that  now  cost  so 
much  to  enjoy  the  privileges  intended  for  the 
people,  but  which  should  be  at  more  reasonable 
rates. 

By  having  less  rates  and  less  taxes  to  pay 
would  be  just  so  much  saved  to  be  used  in  living, 
or  to  be  laid  away  as  a  deposit  in  bank  to  help 
increase  your  account,  instead  of  being  used  to 
increase  the  account  of  great  capital. 

Municipalities  owning  and  controlling  such 
properties  will  cut  off  all  large  salaries  and 
great  profit  to  capital  for  its  peculiar 
benefit,  thus  saving  this  to  the  people,  for  under 
municipal  control  the  salaries  paid  to  officers  in 
charge  of  such  properties  would  be  very  small 
compared  to  the  salaries  paid  to  capital,  and  in 
connection  with  the  amount  of  money  paid  to 
attorneys  and  expenditures  in  other  ways  com- 


MUNICIPAL  INTERESTS  167 

mon  to  corporations,  would  all  be  saved  to  the 
people  in  the  way  of  reduced  charges  for  privi- 
leges enjoyed  and  profits  accruing  in  the  munici- 
pal treasury. 

Would  not  municipal  ownership  and  control 
of  properties  directly  affecting  the  interests  of  a 
municipality  be  of  equal  importance  to  the  peo- 
ple of  such,  as  the  government  ownership  and 
control  of  properties  considered  national  would 
be  to  the  people  of  our  nation? 

Then,  if  so,  let  such  questions  be  studied  well 
in  the  interests  of  all  and  to  benefit  all,  and 
through  proper  legislation,  whether  it  be  national 
or  municipal,  let  us  work  to  gain  such  benefits 
that  will  relieve  the  great  distress  among  the 
people,  and  not  only  this,  but  help  the  people  to 
better  stations  in  life.  When  this  is  attained  we 
can  expect  better  government,  as  we  will  then  have 
a  more  enlightened  people  to  judiciously  use  the 
ballot,  the  true  safeguard  to  freedom,  liberty  and 
equal  rights  as  understood  by  these  terms  under 
a  true  American  form  of  government. 


rills 


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